Abstract: Multi-sensor sewing machine with automatic needle speed adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar, a motor, a first sensor configured to emit first electromagnetic radiation at a first frequency in order to sense relative movement of the fabric and the frame, a second sensor configured to emit second electromagnetic radiation at a second frequency, that is different from the first frequency, in order to sense relative movement of the fabric and the frame, and a processor. The processor may be configured to control a speed of the motor, determine a translational relative movement of the fabric and the frame based on the sensed relative movement of the first sensor and/or based on the sensed relative movement of the second sensor, and, in response to the determined translational relative movement, alter the speed of the motor.

Abstract: Felting assembly for a sewing machine. In some embodiments, a felting assembly may include a felting needle clamp including one or more felting needles. The felting assembly may also include a needle plate defining one or more needle openings arranged to allow the one or more felting needles to reciprocate therethrough. The needle plate may be configured to be attached to a sewing machine over a rotary hook of the sewing machine. The felting assembly may also include a connector configured to attach the felting needle clamp to a needle bar of the sewing machine such that the felting needle clamp is offset from the rotary hook of the sewing machine to avoid the one or more felting needles from contacting the rotary hook when the one or more felting needles are reciprocated through the one or more needle openings in the needle plate.

Abstract: Dual-motor sewing machine with automatic timing adjustment. In some embodiments, a sewing machine may include a frame, a needle bar configured to have a needle, a first motor configured to cause the needle bar to linearly reciprocate the needle with respect to the frame and into and out of a fabric, a first sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the needle, a bobbin hook configured to function in connection with a bobbin, a second motor configured to cause the bobbin hook to rotate with respect to the frame, a second sensor configured to continuously sense a current position of the bobbin hook, and one or more motor controllers. The one or more motor controllers may be configured, based on the current positions sensed by the first sensor and the second sensor, to continuously and automatically adjust and synchronize timing of the first motor and/or the second motor.

Abstract: Fabric suspension frame pole ratchet mechanism. In some embodiments, an example fabric suspension frame may include a pole support side arm, a pole configured to have fabric spooled thereon, and a pole ratchet mechanism. The pole may be configured to be manually rotated in a first rotational direction and a second opposite rotational direction. The pole ratchet mechanism may include a ratchet sleeve attached to the pole, a ratchet slider configured to be positioned in a receiving slot of the pole support side arm, and a ratchet shifter attached to the pole. The ratchet sleeve may define a first set of teeth, and the ratchet slider may define a second set of teeth configured to selectively engage with the first set of teeth. The ratchet shifter may be configured to be manually shifted between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

Abstract: Dual-configuration fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine. In some embodiments, a dual-configuration fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine may include a left side rail, a right side rail, a front rail, a rear rail, a quilt-backing pole including a ratchet mechanism, a take-up pole including a ratchet mechanism, a hoop frame configuration, and a suspension frame configuration. The hoop frame configuration may support a relatively wide fabric clamped thereto that flows from inside boundaries of a working area to outside the boundaries of the working area. The suspension frame configuration may support a relatively narrow fabric that flows from being spooled on the quilt-backing pole, through the working area, to being spooled on the take-up pole.

Abstract: Hopping foot for a maneuverable quilting machine. In some embodiments, an example hopping foot may include a presser bar shaft configured to couple to a presser bar and a base attached to the presser bar shaft. The base may define a left straight edge, a right straight edge, a front straight edge, a bottom surface configured to hop onto and off of a fabric, and a needle opening configured to allow a needle to reciprocate into and out of the fabric through the needle opening.

Abstract: Reconfigurable fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine. In one example embodiment, an example reconfigurable fabric frame may include a take-up pole, an idler pole, a backing pole, a quilt-top pole, and side rails. The side rails may include take-up pole attachment locations, idler pole attachment locations, backing pole attachment locations, and quilt-top pole attachment locations. The side rails may be reconfigurable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the backing pole attachment locations may be higher than the quilt-top pole attachment locations. In the second configuration, the backing pole attachment locations may be lower than the quilt-top pole attachment locations.

Abstract: Vibration reduction mechanism for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a vibration reduction mechanism for a sewing machine includes a rotational counterweight and a reciprocating counterweight. The rotational counterweight is configured to be coupled to a driveshaft of a sewing machine and is configured to be rotated by rotation of the driveshaft. The reciprocating counterweight is coupled to the rotational counterweight. A first portion of the reciprocating counterweight is configured to be rotated by the rotation of the rotational counterweight. A second portion of the reciprocating counterweight is configured to be substantially reciprocated along a length of a structure by the rotation of the rotational counterweight.

Abstract: Fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a fabric frame for a maneuverable sewing machine includes a left side rail, a right side rail, a front rail permanently connected to the left side and right side rails, and a rear rail detachably connectable to the left side and right side rails. The left side, right side, front, and rear rails define left side, right side, front, and rear boundaries, respectively, of a working area. The left side, right side, front, and rear rails are configured to support one or more layers of fabric that flow from inside the boundaries of the working area to outside the left side, right side, front, and rear boundaries of the working area.

Abstract: Motorized thread tensioner for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a motorized thread tensioner for a sewing machine may include a first disk, a second disk, a spring, a shaft having threads on a distal end, a nut threaded onto the threads of the shaft, and an electric motor. The shaft may be through the first disk, the second disk, and the spring. The electric motor may be coupled to the nut and configured to rotate the nut in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction. The rotation of the nut in the first rotational direction may cause the shaft to travel toward the electric motor. The rotation of the nut in the second rotational direction may cause the shaft to travel away from the electric motor.

Abstract: Graphical user interface virtual control for a controller of a motor. In one example embodiment, one or more programs that are configured, when executed, to cause one or more processors to generate and visually present a graphical user interface (GUI) virtual handwheel for a controller of a motor. In this example embodiment, the GUI virtual handwheel includes a depiction of a physical handwheel that is oriented with a perspective orientation. The depiction of the physical handwheel is configured, upon receipt of a first input from a user along the length of the depiction in a first direction, to send a first electronic signal to the controller of the motor to cause the motor to cause a first effect that corresponds to physically rotating the physical handwheel in a first rotational direction that corresponds to the first direction.

Abstract: A device controls the speed of needle movement in a sewing machine and thus the stitch length based upon the movement of a motion detection device relative to a reference surface. The formation of stitches by the sewing machine is controlled by detected changes in position of the detection device relative to the reference surface in connection with a predetermined stitch length setting and starting speed, set on either the detection device, an adapter or as part of the sewing machine control. The detection device may move together with the article being sewn while the sewing machine and reference surface remain stationary, or the detection device may move with the sewing machine while the article that is being sewn and reference surface remain stationary.

Abstract: Thread tensioner for a sewing machine. In one example embodiment, a thread tensioner for a sewing machine includes a first disk, a second disk, a spring, a knob, and a sensor. The second disk is positioned next to the first disk. The spring is configured to apply tension to a thread positioned between the first disk and the second disk by exerting a force against the second disk. The spring defines a length between a first end and a second end. The knob is configured, when rotated in one direction, to travel along a threaded shaft toward the spring and thereby cause the length of the spring to shorten. The knob is configured, when rotated in another direction, to travel along the threaded shaft away from the spring and thereby allow the length of the spring to lengthen. The sensor is configured to track a current length of the spring.

Abstract: A device controls the speed of needle movement in a sewing machine and thus the stitch length based upon the movement of a motion detection device relative to a reference surface. The formation of stitches by the sewing machine is controlled by detected changes in position of the detection device relative to the reference surface in connection with a predetermined stitch length setting and starting speed, set on either the detection device, an adapter or as part of the sewing machine control. The detection device may move together with the article being sewn while the sewing machine and reference surface remain stationary, or the detection device may move with the sewing machine while the article that is being sewn and reference surface remain stationary.