Abstract: Support members are mounted to move between two separations, respectively less than and greater than the open end of a two-panel cover otherwise seamed together around its edges. Flaps sized to define a desired closure hemm can be in-turned manually along short opposed portions of the panel ends and then positioned over the lesser spaced support members to mount the cover thereon. The support members when at the greater separation will tension the open panel edges and extend the flaps accurately in-folded between the support members. The support members can have a first size defining a large edge opening for receiving a nozzle suited for blowing unwanted materials from between the flaps, and a smaller size for minimally gapping the flaps. A sewing machine can then automatically stitch through the panels and hidden flaps, for closing the cover end edge. Clamps can grip spaced cover locations for added cover support.

Abstract: Support members are mounted to move between two separations, respectively less than and greater than the open end of a two-panel cover otherwise seamed together around its edges. Flaps sized to define a desired closure hemm can be in-turned manually along short opposed portions of the panel ends and then positioned over the lesser spaced support members to mount the cover thereon. The support members when at the greater separation will tension the open panel edges and extend the flaps accurately in-folded between the support members. The support members can have a first size defining a large edge opening for receiving a nozzle suited for blowing unwanted materials from between the flaps, and a smaller size for minimally gapping the flaps. A sewing machine can then automatically stitch through the panels and hidden flaps, for closing the cover end edge. Clamps can grip spaced cover locations for added cover support.

Abstract: The disclosed stitching machine has fabric handling structures, including a rack and rack support structures suited for allowing rack movement between spaced loading/unloading and stitching stations, and clamps on the rack suited for holding fabric for stitching. Flooring structure provided at the loading/unloading station is suited to be shifted between a loading configuration to underlie the rack and support fabric laid thereon until it can be gripped and held by the rack clamps upon such being closed, and an unloading configuration out of the way of an overlying stitched fabric yet held on the rack suited to allow such fabric to fall from the machine upon the rack clamps being opened. Power devices shift such flooring between the loading and unloading configurations, and the rack between the loading/unloading and stitching stations. A sewing machine mounted at the stitching station is controlled to trace out and stitch the fabric as desired.

Abstract: The disclosed stitching machine has perimeter clamps to grip the edges of flexible sheet(s): the leading edge clamps being carried on a conveyor to pull the sheet(s) to the stitching area, and the side edge clamps at the stitching area being positioned initially within the area of the sheet(s) and then separated until reaching the respective side sheet(s) edge and being closed, and then being shifted to square the side edges relative to the leading edge. Separation of the opposed clamps stretches the sheet(s) to a flat stitchable condition. The sewing machine can be moved from its home start position until positioned accurately proximate the trailing and side edges of the flat sheet(s), for centering or otherwise locating the stitching pattern relative to the sheet(s).

Abstract: The disclosed stitching machine and method orients cooperating needle and hook components of a sewing machine in spaced horizontal alignment, and suspends flexible sheet(s) to be stitched in a generally vertical orientation between these sewing machine components, and tensions the sheet(s) to a flat stitchable condition whereby the sewing machine components might stitch interior seams through the flexible sheet(s). Horizontal and vertical slides support the cooperating sewing machine components to move along horizontal and vertical axes parallel to the suspended flexible sheet(s), and controlled drives shift them in unison along these axes as needed to trace out an intended seam pattern relative to the flexible sheet(s). A conveyor is provided with a substantially vertical run of a height in excess of the sheet(s) to be stitched when vertically oriented, to pass the sheets between the sewing machine components and hold them in the vertical orientation for stitching, and to remove them after being stitched.