Abstract: An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a spool that is rotatable around a first vertical axis, a support rotatably attached to the sewing machine and to the spool, a sewing guide, and a mechanism for rotating the support around a second vertical axis of rotation. The spool receives and dispenses a length of embroidery material and is supported above a sewing bed of the sewing machine by the support. The sewing guide has a needle opening configured to receive a needle of the sewing machine and to guide the embroidery material toward the needle.

Abstract: A method for calibrating one or more optical sensors on a sewing machine, including collecting data of one or more features of one or more predefined regions associated with the sewing machine, processing the data through one or more neural networks, wherein the one or more neural networks detect and recognize the one or more features of the one or more predetermined regions from the data, calculating one or more accuracy indicators of the one or more features from the data as compared to one or more trained features from the one or more neural networks, comparing the value of the one or more accuracy indicators to one or more indicator thresholds and adjusting one or more parameters of one or more optical sensors based on the comparison between the one or more accuracy indicators and the one or more indicator thresholds.

Abstract: An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a spool that is rotatable around a first vertical axis, a support rotatably attached to the sewing machine and to the spool, a sewing guide, and a mechanism for rotating the support around a second vertical axis of rotation. The spool receives and dispenses a length of embroidery material and is supported above a sewing bed of the sewing machine by the support. The sewing guide has a needle opening configured to receive a needle of the sewing machine and to guide the embroidery material toward the needle.

Abstract: An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a spool, a support, and a mechanism for rotating the support. The spool receives a length of embroidery material and dispenses the material as it rotates about a first axis of rotation. The support is rotatably attached to both the attachment portion and to the spool. The support includes a sewing guide with an opening for a needle of the sewing machine and a dispensing guide near the spool for guiding the embroidery material from the spool to the sewing guide. The mechanism rotates the support about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a stationary support attached to the sewing machine and a rotating support rotatably attached to the stationary support. A drive mechanism rotates the rotating support relative to the stationary support and a spool supported by the rotating support receives and dispenses a length of embroidery material. The removable guide is removably attached to the rotating support and includes a sewing guide with a needle opening for receiving a needle of the sewing machine, and at least one guide for guiding the length of embroidery material from the spool to the sewing guide.

Abstract: An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a stationary support attached to the sewing machine and a rotating support rotatably attached to the stationary support. A drive mechanism rotates the rotating support relative to the stationary support and a spool supported by the rotating support receives and dispenses a length of embroidery material. The removable guide is removably attached to the rotating support and includes a sewing guide with a needle opening for receiving a needle of the sewing machine, and at least one guide for guiding the length of embroidery material from the spool to the sewing guide.

Abstract: An exemplary embroidery accessory for a sewing machine includes a spool, a support, and a mechanism for rotating the support. The spool receives a length of embroidery material and dispenses the material as it rotates about a first axis of rotation. The support is rotatably attached to both the attachment portion and to the spool. The support includes a sewing guide with an opening for a needle of the sewing machine and a dispensing guide near the spool for guiding the embroidery material from the spool to the sewing guide. The mechanism rotates the support about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A variable timing system for a sewing machine is provided comprising a shuttle hook having a hook tip, a first helical gear mounted on the shuttle hook, a lower shaft configured to rotate the shuttle hook in synchronization with a needle bar, and a second helical gear mounted on the lower shaft and capable of engaging with the first helical gear. In accordance with embodiments, at least one of the helical gears is axially movable. The variable timing system may comprise a control device configured to generate a control signal representative of a current sewing situation. A drive force mechanism may receive the control signal and in response, transmit axial movement to the axially moveable helical gear to move the gear into proper position relative to a threaded needle of the sewing machine.