Abstract: The disclosed invention includes an automatic sewing machine having a low inertia system for translating a work holder relative to a sewing needle. The work holder is moved in a coordinate system which has been modified so that the movement of the work holder relative to the sewing needle approximates, within predefined limits, a rectilinear coordinate system. The driving power is provided by a pair of stepping motors each of whose mechanical outputs is connected by a separate cable drive to a work holder support for each coordinate system. The inertia of the work holder and the support is maintained low by separating the motors from the support. A pair of homing and limit assemblies is also connected to the cable system for preventing the work holder from being moved beyond the defined range of movement and for automatically positioning the work holder in a predetermined home position at the beginning and end of every operation.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a thread cutter for effecting the cutting of a thread at the termination of a sewing action with a sewing machine. The thread cutter is particularly effective on synthetic threads, such as nylon and monofilament, which are more difficult to cut than cotton thread. The thread cutter includes a pair of relatively movable blades having a scissor action to produce an effective thread cutting operation. The thread cutter is very compact and does not require any bulky attachment on the arm of the machine, as is usually required.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering buttons to and positively removing them from a sewing station after they have been secured to a fabric. A button loader feeds buttons to a button conveyor which moves them through a sequence of steps. An indexing means actuates the conveyor as well as an orientating means which aligns the buttonholes for the sewing step. After the sewing step a means operates on the button and attached fabric to force disengagement with the conveyor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a thread cutter mechanism for sewing machines wherein at the end of a stitching operation, a spreader member extends into the needle thread loop and expands the same transversely so that both the bobbin thread and the needle thread may be severed in a single operation. Cooperating cutter knives, mounted to swing arcuately, cooperate with the loop spreader to effect the necessary thread cutting. In addition, there is provided a bobbin thread pull-off member which serves to pull thread off of the bobbin prior to the severing of the bobbin thread by the cutter knives. The cutter knives, loop spreader and bobbin thread pull-off member are all actuated in an arcuate path by means of slide bars which are actuated by mechanism controlled in timed relation to the operation of the sewing machine.