Abstract: A hem former (16) for folding the margin of a sheet of material in preparation for sewing is mounted to the sewing bed (11) of a sewing machine (10). The hem former has a mounting plate (17), a guide plate (18) having a guide edge (23), a support plate (22) having a front edge (28) reciprocally mounted upon the guide plate and channels (24), and a guide cap (36). The guide cap has air nozzles (38) coupled to a supply of compressed air so as to generate an airstream directed beneath the front edge of the support plate and into the channels of the support plate. The airstream urges the margin of material over the front edge of the support plate and into abutment with the guide edge.

Abstract: A hem former (75) for folding the margin of a sheet of material in preparation for sewing is mounted to the sewing bed (71) of a sewing machine (70). The hem former has a mounting block (76), a guide plate (83) having a guide edge (93) and channels (94) extending therethrough, a top folder plate (80) pivotally mounted to the mounting block, and a lower folder assembly (85). The lower folder assembly has a lower folder plate (97) mounted for reciprocal movement over the guide plate and a hem edge detector (100). The mounting block has air nozzles (95) coupled to a supply of compressed air so as to generate an airstream directed beneath the lower folder plate and into the channels of the guide plate. The movement of the top folder plate over the lower folder plate creates an inward fold IF and an outward fold OF in the material.

Abstract: A hem former (16) for folding the margin of a sheet of material in preparation for sewing is mounted to the sewing bed (11) of a sewing machine (10). The hem former has a mounting plate (17), a guide plate (18) having a guide edge (23) and channels (24) extending therethrough, a support plate (22) having a front edge (28) reciprocally mounted upon the guide plate, and a guide cap (36). The guide cap has air nozzles (38) coupled to a supply of compressed air so as to generate an airstream directed beneath the front edge of the support plate and into the channels of the guide plate. The airstream urges the margin of material over the front edge of the support plate and into abutment with the guide edge.