Abstract: A sewing machine has improved material cutting before stitching. The machine includes a sewing head and stitch area where stitching of strip material occurs. Strip material is fed by a timing belt along a predetermined path of travel into the stitch area. A lower cutter roll is positioned along the predetermined path of travel, and the strip material passes over the lower cutting roll. The lower cutter roll is driven by a transmission system connected to the sewing head motor. At least one circular configured, freely rotatable rotary knife engages the lower cutter roll and any strip material passing thereover is cut before stitching.

Abstract: An apparatus for sewing has a sewing head with a stitching station at which stitching occurs on material fed therethrough. A turntable holds material to be stitched in its position adjacent to the sewing head. The turntable has an outer perimeter with a portion of the outer perimeter extending through the stitching station. Fabric material is held along the perimeter and stitched as the turntable rotates so that during stitching the turntable rotates and feeds material into the stitching station of the sewing head. In a preferred embodiment, the turntable includes upper and lower platens and magnets positioned on the upper platen for locking upper and lower platens together and holding fabric material therebetween.