Abstract: An apparatus for preparing stitch position-related data utilized by an embroidery sewing machine for embroidering a predetermined area by forming stitches at respective stitch positions and filling the area with the formed stitches, including a dividing device for dividing the area into a plurality of sub-areas based on outline data representative of an outline of the area, the outline data including sets of position data each of which is representative of a corresponding one of a plurality of specific positions specified on the outline, and a data producing device for producing sets of sub-area data each of which is representative of an outline of a corresponding one of the sub-areas and determining, based on the sets of sub-area data, an order of embroidering of the sub-areas such that, when the embroidery sewing machine forms stitches with a continuous thread and fills each of the sub-areas by the formed stitches, by utilizing the sets of sub-area data and the order of embroidery of the sub-areas, the cont

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine capable of executing a stitch back operation forms a nonfraying, aesthetically pleasing stitch in an embroidery pattern when resuming a stitching operation after thread breakage. The machine includes a movable needlebar holding a needle, a movable workpiece holder, storage for stitch data representing stitch positions, a control mechanism for controlling the needlebar and workpiece for executing a sewing operation based on the stitch data, a thread breakage detector, a stopping mechanism for stopping the sewing operation upon detection of thread breakage, a stitch back positioner for setting the stitch back position corresponding to the last complete stitch, a nonfraying stitch forming a positioner for setting the nonfraying stitch position, and a sewing operation resuming mechanism.