Abstract: Apparatus for use in turning inside out a stitched, hollow necktie assembly includes a guide comprising a hollow tube (2) of which part (4) of the wall is cut away over a shaped length extending from an intermediate part of the tube to a first end region thereof. A turning loop (7) is angled away from the first end region of the tube, the outer surface of the turning loop lying substantially within the projection of the outer surface of the tube along the axis thereof. The turning loop has a turning surface (27) facing generally away from the tube and an opposite surface (28) facing generally towards the tube. The perimeter of the minimum envelope at any part of the shaped length of the tube and at any part of the turning loop is less than the cross-sectional external perimeter of the tube. Drive mechanisms (13,14) are provided for driving a tie engagement mechanism (21) between an advanced position adjacent to the turning loop and a retracted position.

Abstract: In the tipping of neckties, that is to say the provision of a lining to the basic or face fabric at one or both ends, it is highly desirable that the seam by which the lining is attached to the face fabric should be set back from the edge of the tie on the reverse side thereof, but the technique as hitherto practiced has not given the desired neatness of the tie at the corners without the expenditure of considerable time and manual dexterity.The problem is mitigated by guiding the needle of a sewing machine to stitch the face and lining fabrics together along sets of first and second lines meeting at a corner and forming the face fabric into upwardly projecting pleats at the corner. Special means are provided to ensure that each pleat, which provides fullness in the face fabric, is not stitched down to the lining, and to avoid the stretching of the fabric while initially forming the pleats.

Abstract: In a sewing machine adapted to stitch a garment panel held in or on a jig which is to be passed through the machine and turned in its own plane at a corner thereof, means are provided for detecting the approach of the corner and auxiliary means operative to assist in the turning of the jig at the corner.