Abstract: In this apparatus for stretching sewn portions of cloth, comprises a stretching member extends along the feed direction of the cloth in the front and rear of the sewing position of a sewing machine. This stretching member includes an inserting portion which enters into the cloth in the front of the sewing position prior to sewing and a pair of stretching portions for stretching the cloth from both sides with the sewn portion acting as the boundary in the rear of the sewing position. The stretching portions extended backwards in parallel with a predetermined distance between them and the thickness gradually increases towards the rear. A guide member for guiding and shifting the stretched cloth toward the rear extends from the rear end of one stretching portion in the backwards direction with the same thickness as that of the rear end of this stretching portion.

Abstract: A tubular workpiece is fed toward a stitch forming means while forcing the marginal edge portion of the workpiece upwardly against an annular peripheral portion of a rotatable guide plate and then across an upper flat surface of the guide plate. This action automatically forms a substantially Z-shaped fold in the marginal portion of the workpiece. This fold is both interiorly and exteriorly guided so that the fold is formed into a triple-thickness hem which is thereafter sewn by the stitch former. The edge of the marginal portion of the workpiece is maintained in a predetermined alignment with respect to the direction of feed of the workpiece by rotating the guide plate in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions.

Abstract: A sewing machine installation with a material folding device for automatically prefolding a curtain rod box hem along an edge of a curtain as the curtain is conveyed forwardly through the material folding device to a stitching station.

Abstract: Pieces of cuff material are affixed to a continuous band of linear material as the band passes through a sewing machine. A vacuum force is used to hold material in place on the continuous band as the band is moved. The pieces of material are individually manually placed on the band in a manner such that initially only a small portion thereof is attracted by the vacuum force thereby facilitating correct relative positioning of the piece and band such that the edge of the piece overlaps the edge of the band. Folding of the overlapping edge of the piece over the edge of the band is also achieved through use of the vacuum, which pulls the overlapping edge of the piece around the edge of the band and into a slot in the vacuum enclosure, immediately underneath the edge of the band. The folded edge of the material is creased and passed through the sewing machine for stitching. The band is then cut to form the cuff portions which are thereafter stacked.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a double tuck on a lateral edge of a length of material web comprises a U-shape folding bar for supporting the material at a spaced location from the edge of the material and which includes a lower leg and an upper leg interconnected by a web or yoke. A stave is mounted for upward and downward motion adjacent the folding bar in a plane spaced from the yoke portion by the thickness of the web and being movable downwardly for folding the lateral edge about the yoke portion. A fold slide is mounted for transverse movement in a plane adjacent to and spaced from the lower leg by the thickness of the web and it is movable toward the lower leg for folding the lateral edge against the lower surface of the lower leg.

Abstract: A semi automatic hemming machine for folding cloth pieces with the edge folded back within the fold, stitching the folded cloth pieces to form hems thereon and stacking the stitched hemmed pieces into bundles for further processing. The folding and hemming machine utilizes a conveyor belt for transporting the cloth pieces continuously past stationary folding guide plates and a pair of synchronized narrow belts engage the folded edge of the material, top and bottom, to frictionally drive the folded hem through the folding and stitching operations. A transversely reciprocating stacker with a plurality of fingers for engaging the edge of passing cloth pieces removes the hemmed cloth pieces, drops them onto a stack which is periodically removed for further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming belt loops from fabric cut to the exact length of the finished loop. Single fabric plies are sequentially fed by pneumatic means into stationary alignment with a folder. While the alignment is maintained, the plies are transported through the folder where opposed longitudinal edges of the ply are overlapped to present one exposed edge to a sewing device. The exposed edge is positioned by its alignment to be completely covered by stitches to form the finished loop and to prevent unravelling of the exposed edge when the loop is attached to a garment.

Abstract: This disclosure teaches an apparatus for manufacturing and stacking hemmed fabric pieces (usually pockets) with the hems either lined or unlined. In the case of lined hemmed fabric pieces, pieces of a liner tape are fed in cut lengths in turn along a path. Limp fabric pieces (the pockets) are inserted manually by an operator and are positioned automatically each on one of the liner pieces. A hem is formed out of a margin of the fabric piece around its related liner piece and a terminal margin flap is tucked under itself. The hem is sewn along the terminal flap. The hemmed lined fabric pieces are then inserted in turn into a cartridge upwardly and the cartridge is revolved about a vertical axis as successive of the hemmed lined fabric pieces are inserted therein so that uneven height caused by the hems is distributed about the stack. In the case of unlined fabric pieces, the apparatus functions substantially the same in positioning the limp fabric pieces, hemming and stacking.

Abstract: A seam is set by pressing while the seam allowances are folded to lie flat against the fabric reverse sides while the fabric face sides are facing each other by running the fabric through a seam allowance separator and folder with the seam constrained against lateral displacement. The constraint may comprise the needle, presser foot and feeder of a sewing machine producing the seam.