Abstract: An apparatus for sewing elastic hems on fabric pieces is designed as a tandem machine. In a first sewing machine (26a), an elastic band (6) is prefixed at the edge of a fabric piece (8). During further conveyance thereof, the thus created double-ply structure is folded by 180.degree. by a baffle plate (34). A pair of conveying rollers (36, 38) withdraws the double-ply structure from the baffle plate. Between the first sewing machine (26a) and a second sewing machine (26b), provided for finishing the elastic hem, there is provided a deflection roller (40) deflecting the triple-ply structure, formed by said folding and consisting of fabric edge portion, an elastic band, and a fabric folding portion, from the horizontal. The deflection roller (40) is driven in a direction opposite to the conveying direction and thus takes care that the triple-ply structure, also in case of curved seams, remains closed and is sewn correctly.

Abstract: A sewing machine capable of automatically severing a thread chain between successive pieces of sewing material includes a cutting device provided behind a sewing needle in a feed direction of the sewing material, a suction device for sucking the thread chain toward the cutting device, and a feeder and a cooperating pressure plate of a presser foot which each have a projection extending in the feed direction such that the cutting device and the ends of the feeder and the presser plate lie substantially in one plane.

Abstract: The method of making contour seams on material to be sewn starts from a sewing position in which the material to be sewn has been clamped in spread manner, before the sewing operation, by means of three gripping points provided along a contour line. The contour line is defined by the pattern of the cut and superimposed fabric edges of pieces of material to be sewn together. The gripping point closest to the sewing-machine is stationary, and the two other gripping points are each supported so as to be movable in a polar coordinate system. Initiation of the sewing operation is effected each time with simultaneous release of the material to be sewn in the stationary gripping point, and in at least part of the sewing operation the stitch chain is guided parallel to the contour line in opto-electronic control.