Abstract: An embroidery machine incorporates a stitch pattern selecting system capable of selecting a possible scale for a selected pattern on which the selected pattern is to be stitched to omit the repetition of pattern selection after determining a scale in order that a series of pattern selecting operations can be carried out easily and efficiently. When selecting a pattern and a scale on which the pattern is to be stitched, a CPU calculates the sizes of the selected pattern on all the scales and compares the sizes of the selected pattern with a predetermined available area for embroidering. The CPU specifies the available scales.

Abstract: Stitch data of a plurality of partial patterns constituting a continuous pattern are stored in a predetermined order in a memory. The continuous pattern is sewn by changing the needle thread for each partial pattern. When it is desired to start sewing from a desired position, a head search key is operated to change a pointer P and store a head address of a partial pattern designated by the pointer P into another pointer I and a help key is depressed to cause a help screen to be displayed. An advancing key can then be operated and a stitch number key or keys operated to input a desired number of stitches to advance or retreat. Consequently, the address of the pointer I is displaced by the thus set number of stitch distances in the advancing direction or the retreating direction. When the help screen is the cancelled and a start switch is operated, sewing is started from the needle position indicated by the address of the pointer I.

Abstract: Stitch data of partial patterns constituting a continuous pattern are stored in a memory in the sewing order with each partial pattern separated from the next. When a trouble occurs, such as a break of the needle thread or the consumption of the bobbin thread, or the user depresses a start/stop switch during sewing of the continuous pattern, the sewing machine is stopped. When the user corrects the trouble and subsequently operates a head search key, sewing is resumed, in response to a starting instruction, from the head of the partial pattern at which the sewing was interrupted.