Abstract: For making seams on three-dimensional objects, a manipulator (20) is used at the manipulator arm (19) of which a sewing machine (18) is secured. The cuttings (12,14) to be sewn are fixed to a holding device (10), and the sewing machine (18) sews the protruding edge strips (16) which confront each other. The sewing machine (18) can be guided by the manipulator arm (19) along the intended seam line at constant speed. While the needle penetrates the material, the sewing machine being guided on a guide (21) by means of a carriage (22) is driven in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the manipulator so that the sewing machine is at a temporary standstill with respect to the holding device (10). After completion of the stitch, the carriage (22) is advanced on the guide (21) in feeding direction so that the sewing machine catches up with the lag. With each stitch, the edge strip (16) is clamped between a needle plate and a presser of the sewing machine.

Abstract: For forming three-dimensional envelopes of at least two blanks (11, 13) which are to be sewn together, the first blank (11) is laid on a first support surface of a carrier body (14) in such a manner that its edge portion projects beyond the carrier body. Thereafter, a second blank (13) is laid on a second support surface of the carrier body (14), the edge portions (11a, 13a) of both blanks projecting obliquely from the blanks and forming a double flange portion projecting from the carrier body (14). A sewing machine is guided along the root line (57) formed by the kink lines of the edge portions (11a, 13a) so that a seam interconnecting the blanks (11, 13) is created there.