Abstract: A folding device folds waistband ends into the waistband and the device moveable along with folding tools, clamping tools and engagement fingers in a way which allows the fingers to be inserted between layers of the waistband and moved the working area of a bar tacking machine, while clamping tools and folding tools are moved away from the finger so that they do no impede the inserting process. The control of the fingers and folding tools of the folding device is made more simple and economical by the use of control cams.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a fabric strip 12 from a deposit station 10 to a support base 16 includes a plate 24 having a stop ledge 28 abutting an end of the fabric strip 12. A bar 34 projects through an opening 30 in plate 24 to create a fold in the fabric strip 12. A thin plate 66 retracts against a ledge 52 to grasp the fabric strip 12. Then, the transfer clamp 14 is rotated into a position such that the plate 66 lies flush with the support base 16. The transfer clamp releases the folded fabric strip 12 in a position where it is then fed into the sewing machine 22 together with the fabric piece 18 when they are sewn together.

Abstract: A mock-linking process and apparatus are disclosed for linking a specially knitted edging trim in the form of a ribbon of knitted yarn with an unfinished edge of a knitted garment, such as a V-neck opening, to obtain a finish which substantially simulates a point-to-point link finish. The trim is weft-knitted on a double bed knitting machine to incorporate a course of transfer stitches followed by a slack tension course which defines a fold line to facilitate tucking-in of the ravel edge, and an adjacent seam line along the folded edge, wherein the seam line is well-defined by a line of outwardly-protruding loops with spaces therebetween. During the mock-linking process a conventional chain-stitch sewing machine is used, provided with folding means and guide means to bring the seam line of the trim, which has been folded over the unfinished garment edge, into alignment with the needle path, wherein the two pieces of knitted fabric are joined along the seam line with matching thread.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically forming and hemming garments which are circular or tubular in shape, comprising an expandable multi-roller and cam assembly for mounting and tensioning the garment about the assembly, and which further comprises a means for selectively engaging or disengaging one of the rollers of the assembly depending on the size and shape of the garment to be hemmed. The apparatus further comprises means for loading the circular garment from the multi-roller expandable assembly into a folding device which is used to fold a hem of a predetermined depth into the garment prior to the hem being sewn.

Abstract: A device for folding at least one edge of a fabric for making a single or a double hem, said fabric edge being passed through shaping means contained in the device. The object of the invention is to provide a folding device, which within a relatively large area with respect to the most common fabrics, is insensitive to variations in thickness of the fabric, whether several fabric edges are to be folded simultaneously or whether transverse seem with considerable thickness occur. This object has been solved by the fact that the shaping means comprises portions of at least one endless, driven band, which is twisted in correspondance with the gradual folding of the fabric edge during the transport thereof through the device and said band being arranged to cooperate with at least one fixed rule arranged in direct connection with at least a part of the band portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for forming a double-folded wide hem in cut textile articles, such as would be used for the open entrance end of a pillowcase, the top of a bed sheet and the like. Rectangular cut articles are successively fed in a longitudinal path of travel and are stopped for hem folding during such travel. A predetermined width of one edge portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the path of travel of each article is elevated and stopped in the folding position. The elevated portion is folded over the remainder of the article and over a stationary folding shoe having a transverse dimension corresponding to the desired width of the wide hem being formed in the article, while forming a first fold in the edge portion of the article around an outer longitudinally-extending edge of the stationary folding shoe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for successively fabricating pillowcases and the like from a continuous open width textile fabric with each of the successively produced pillowcases including correctly aligned and stitched together hemmed open ends, and side and bottom edges. The fabric is withdrawn from a supply source and successively cut to form individual blanks of predetermined length. The blanks are moved along a substantially rectangular path of travel with the completed pillowcases being deposited in a position adjacent the supply source of the open width fabric. A folding station is provided for successively folding the hemmed blanks along a fold line extending longitudinally along the medial portion with the opposite side edges and the hem end in substantial overlying alignment with one another.

Abstract: A system for folding limp material segments. A system includes a support surface for the segment, a belt assembly including a matrix of elongated parallel endless belts overlying that surface. A controller for permitting rotation of the surface with respect to the belt matrix, a fold-locus-defining assembly including a sheet member having a leading edge which may be adjustably positioned with respect to a material segment between the belts and the support surface, a sensor for generating a position signal representative of the segment on the support surface. A controller is responsive to the position signal and applied signals representative of a desired fold locus on the segment to control the belt assembly, the support surface, the fold-locus-defining assembly so that the segment is folded about a desired linear folding locus.

Abstract: To fold-in an end of a folded waistband (7) into the inside thereof, e.g. for a trouser or skirt, the upper (7a) and lower (7b) parts of the U-shaped waistband are seized by upper and lower gripping elements (5,9,18;6,10,19) such as paired fingers, or tongs, which are arranged in an upper and lower mechanical module (1,2). The ends of the folded upper (7a) and lower (7b) parts of the waistband are then opened, by spreading-apart of the gripping elements by relative movement of the modules 1,2, and the protruding terminal end portions of the waistband are folded into the inside of the waistband by sliders (12,13).

Abstract: A hemming machine has a first station with an ultrasonic slitting device for cutting woven material that has enough thermoplastic content to be cut and fused by an ultrasonic device. At a second station, a hemming device folds and sews the material and by providing only two folds, results in a three layer hem which does not fray because the edge has been fused by the ultrasonic slitting device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding a tubular fabric to a sewing portion of a sewing machine so as to set a hem on the edge portion of the fabric formed as a twice-folded, three-layered band. The operation is performed so that a left rear clamp is moved to the right so as to contact a holder extending from the sewing portion on its left side; the tubular fabric is inserted around the holder from the free end thereof; a main left front clamp is moved to the right and a right front clamp is moved to the left so as to clamp intermediate portions of the peripheral surface of said fabric from the outside. Then the left rear clamp is moved to the left and a main right rear clamp is moved to the right so as to stretch right and left sides of the fabric closer to the sewing portion from the inside to the outside, so that the right and left sides of the fabric become wider than the clamped portions of the fabric.

Abstract: A robotic end effector adapted to grip a fabric ply at a point remote from a free edge portion of the ply and a fabric edge influencing element resiliently supported from the end effector is provided to minimize distortion of the free edge portion of the fabric ply.

Abstract: A pair of fabric members having proximate abutting margins preliminarily united by a row of basting stitches are then fed through a folder device and folded into a three-ply, Z- or S-shaped construction in preparation for a finished seaming operation. As the members pass through the folder device one of the fabric members is folded along a line on one side of the row of basting stitches to underlie the united margins and the other of the fabric members is reverse folded along a line on the other side of the row of basting stitches to overlie the united margins. The aforesaid folder includes a base plate having an upstanding guide rib or scroll and a generally horizontal guide plate. The guide plate is spaced above the base plate and includes a longitudinal edge forming the line about which the one fabric member is folded to underlie the united margins.

Abstract: An arrangement for folding and reinforcing an edge portion of a fabric includes at least two pairs of press rolls and a folding unit therebetween. The folding unit is provided with a conveyor whose upper extension projects beyond the plane along which the fabric is forwarded. Thus, the edge portion will be lifted when engaged by this conveyor while the remaining portion of the fabric is downwardly pressed by a stationary press pad. Cooperating with this conveyor is a further conveyor which has a section inwardly directed toward the edge portion so that once the edge portion is lifted by the one conveyor, the other conveyor will fold the edge portion through the inward motion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for forming a fly structure in garments or the like and more particularly to a machine which folds a fly flap portion which is integral with the garment forming panel, then places a predetermined length of one half of a slide fastener stringer in position on the fly flap portion within the folds thus formed and secures the stringer to the folded flap portion.

Abstract: A clamp device is provided for gripping a fabric ply in place in a fabric folding mandrel to prevent slippage of the fabric ply relatively to the mandrel during the folding operation, and means are provided for bodily shifting the mandrel into a position facilitating proper introduction of a fabric ply thereto.

Abstract: A material handling system includes an assembly for feeding, directing and sewing fabric materials, an assembly for cutting fabric, and an assembly for stacking fabric. The feeding and sewing assembly folds a reinforcing binding web over the edge of a garment panel and sews the two together before they are advanced by the binding to the cutter assembly. The cutting assembly includes angularly disposed blades for simultaneously severing the binding web intermediate adjacent garment panels. The stacking assembly includes a conveyor for sequentially advancing severed garment panels to an elevator mechanism for receiving the panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for putting ribbon pieces on a textile fabric's edge comprising a ribbon folding apparatus with a fold plate having two long sides with slanting, converging fold edges and two fold plate stops engageable by the slanting fold edges and a fold edge on its front side lying parallel to the textile fabric's feed direction which is engageable with the ribbon alternatively to the slanting fold edges so as to make ribbon pieces that are V-shaped or simply folded over on themselves; and a ribbon feed apparatus having a ribbon oriented transverse to and adjustably perpendicular to or at an acute angle to the textile fabric's plane of motion, a ribbon-holding clamp positioned above the fold edge's point of engagement with the ribbon to support the ribbon prior to engagement with the fold plate, and a ribbon cutting apparatus mounted in the feed direction above the place of engagement of the ribbon by the fold plate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of finishing lengthwise both ends of a towel fabric by sewing after automatically forming a three-ply part on each and, and an apparatus for practicing this method.At each end of the towel fabric, a first part and a second part to wrap up the first part are folded automatically in turn so as to form a three-ply part including the above two parts and a ground fabric part.Selvages extending outwardly slightly farther than crosswise both ends of the first and the second parts are formed on both ends of the ground fabric part of the three-ply part. The three-ply part thus provided with selvages is stitched from one selvage side to the other with sewing thread so that automatic folding and sewing of the three-ply part can be performed without causing the crosswise end of the first and the second folded parts to jut out from crosswise both ends of the towel fabric.

Abstract: In a sewing machine for performing twin overedging and seaming in one high-speed operation, specially designed top and bottom variable feed dogs pull the two plies through a three needle stitching area with improved, simplified elements for diverting one ply edge while the other is being overcast. The upright overcast edge of the top ply passes through a tunnel formed through the top feed dog. A guide wall attached to the throat plate guides the top edge away from the bottom overedging station. A guard wall can be attached to the presser foot to keep the turned-up top edge away from the seaming needle. A fiber optic/pneumatic system controls automatic stop, presser foot/top feed retraction and between-work thread cutter functions. Alternative front edge guides facilitate feeding the two plies in registration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for forming a fly structure in a garment or the like and more particularly to a machine which folds a fly flap portion which is integral with the garment panel to form a double welt along the exposed edge of the finished fly structure and then places and secures one half of a slide fastener tape to the fly flap portion.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a guidance system operable in combination with an automatic transfer apparatus. The guidance system is effective to position each half of a folded and hemmed workpiece together in a proper orientation relative to each other and relative to a predetermined path during the time that the workpiece is removed from a first conveyor. The guidance system includes: a pair of workpiece hem aligners and hem guides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for acting upon a cloth in a manner for automatically forming a shirt sleeve from a sleeve blank. The blank is conveyed by a conveyor is a first direction and a hem is automatically formed and secured along a longitudinal edge thereof. The blank is automatically picked up off the conveyor and folded about an axis substantially transverse to the first direction. The transference of the hemmed and folded sleeve is controlled such that the overlapping edges of the folded blank are in substantial alignment relative to one another when deposited on a second conveyor which conveys the blank in a second direction. As the blank is conveyed by the second conveyor, the overlapping and generally aligned edges of the folded workpiece are secured together to form a shirt sleeve.

Abstract: A device useful with robotic fabric manipulating systems for forming hemfolds in fabric panels and comprising a slotted mandrel simultaneously accommodating the entire fabric edges to be hemmed and a drive rotating said mandrel within a sheath which frictionally constrains the folded fabric being drawn from the mandrel during stitching.

Abstract: A system for the manufacture of seamed articles from a strip of limp fabric includes an apparatus for feeding strips of fabric and for automatically folding the strips along desired fold lines. A fabric joining apparatus forms seams in the folded strips of fabric at desired locations while providing near-field control of the fabric using selectively operative feed dogs and far-field control using a matrix of selective retractable endless belts.

Abstract: For attaching a ready-made piece of material, for avoiding open selvedges on the finished article of clothing, initially an insert (E) is joined to an outer and a lower layer of material (01,02) and presewn by a seam (2). Material (01) is then folded upwards and the other material (02) downwards. Simultaneously, an adhesive thread (A, B) is supplied to each of the folded selvedges (20), the two folds then being fixed by means of pressure and heat. The ready-made piece of material is now turned and stitched by a seam (3). The selvedge of a further piece of material (H) is now inserted between the fixed folds and is fastened by a seam (5). This simplifies and accelerates attachment and in addition sewing cotton is saved. This production procedure can be used in the laundry and clothes production industries.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequentially stitching groups of sheets includes a reject assembly which directs groups of sheets containing either more or less than a predetermined number of sheets to a receiving station without being stitched. If a desired number of sheets is in a group, the group will move through the reject station to a stitching station and then through a folding apparatus at one of two discharge stations. The reject assembly includes a ramp which is movable between a retracted position aligned with a main support surface and an extended position projecting upwardly from the main support surface to a reject conveyor. A main conveyor pushes a group of sheets containing more or less than a predetermined number of sheets up the ramp to a reject conveyor which conducts the groups of sheets to a receiving station.

Abstract: The disclosed invention describes an automatic sewing machine adapted to sew along a tubular workpiece edge. Upon insertion, the workpiece is tensioned and the marginal edge thereof is arranged in a different shape before sewing than after sewing. An array of sensors are positioned to monitor and effectively control the lateral disposition of the workpiece edge during the entirety of the sewing cycle and to effect an uninterrupted working sequence without the need of operator intervention.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a sewing machine to automatically hem the free ends of tubular portions of garments. The apparatus has a guide cylinder with a stop and a tension cylinder capable of being retracted, both of which are mounted on the sewing machine with a folding guide which is moveable between a retracted position and an operative position. A tube connected to a source of compressed air assists in removing the sewn garment from the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing a pocket on a workpiece in which a pocket cut is folded at a margin of two lateral portions and one bottom portion connecting the lateral portions and attached by a stitch row to a workpiece. According to the invention, the folded pocket cut is additionally formed with folds situated in the lateral portions so as to manufacture extensible and spacious bellow-typed pockets. The device for producing such extensible pockets on workpieces is equipped with a workpiece folding device for folding the pocket according to the method described, a sewing machine and a control system for controlling a relative motion between the needle of the sewing machine and the workpiece and the folded pocket cut, so as to automatically perform a fastening stitch row according to a predetermined contour for attaching the folded pocket cut onto the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a hem in fabric flat goods is disclosed. The method includes the steps of folding the border of the fabric flat goods back over to form a major hem, holding the major hem in place by vacuum, folding the free edge of the major hem back into the fold of the major hem to form a minor hem, clamping the major and minor hems in a movable clamp and moving the clamped together hems to a sewing machine. The apparatus includes a table having a longitudinally extending vacuum slot parallel to one of its sides, a major hem forming plate movable to a position over the table top for forming the major hem, a minor hem forming plate also movable to a position over the table top for forming the minor hem, and a movable clamping device for clamping the hems together and delivering the hems to a sewing machine which stitches the hems.

Abstract: A folding apparatus for a sewing machine which includes a first guide for folding a marginal edge portion of fabric to define a pocket or hem and a second guide for directing a relatively narrow web or strip from an area remote to an operator work area to an area partially within the first guide. A portion of the first guide defines a slot which permits a portion of the narrow web to extend into abutment with fabric defining the pocket such that the fabric and web feed to the sewing machine as one component.

Abstract: An automatic selvedger has a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely throughgoing main rolls rotatable about respective parallel axes and guides and a drive that pass the web longitudinally and continuously from one of the main rolls to the other main roll in a travel direction perpendicular to the roll axes and with the web spanned tightly longitudinally between the main rolls and lying generally in a plane with its edges generally parallel. The web edges are folded over between the upstream and the downstream main roll and then are stitched together. A feed device has at least one straight guide spaced upstream from and substantially parallel to the upstream main roll. The web passes over the guide and thence to the upstream main roll. A support between the guide and the upstream roll is pivotal about an axis transverse to a plane defined by the straight guide and upstream main roll axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding over and stitching the longitudinally extending and transversely spaced edges of an elongated textile web has a pair of longitudinally spaced and transversely throughgoing main rolls rotatable about respective parallel axes and operated by guide and drive means that pass the web longitudinally and continuously from one of the main rolls to the other main roll in a travel direction perpendicular to the roll axes and with the web spanned tightly longitudinally between the main rolls and lying generally in a plane with its edges generally parallel. Respective stretchers transversely confronting each other between the main rolls engage the web edges for urging same transversely apart and thereby transversely stretching the web. Folders between the stretchers and the downstream main roll fold over the edges of the web and sewing devices between the folding means and the downstream main roll stitch together the folded-over web edges.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of tufting are disclosed wherein the edges of carpet backing and the like are folded to assure presenting a desired width of backing to the tufting needles in proper position thus avoiding the necessity for making an excessive width of carpet in order to assure an adequate usable width of finished carpet thereby avoiding waste.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for acting upon cloth in a particular manner, most particularly for automatically forming a shirt sleeve from a sleeve blank. The blank is conveyed by a conveyor in a first direction and a hem is automatically formed along a first edge thereof. The hem is ironed, and then the hemmed sleeve blank is automatically picked up off the conveyor and folded about an axis substantially transverse to the first direction. The folded hemmed blank is dropped on a second conveyor which conveys the blank in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. A seam is automatically formed along a second edge of the blank as it is being conveyed by the second conveyor, to form a shirt sleeve. A roller moving at a speed different than the speed of the second conveyor preferably engages the blank as it is being conveyed by the second conveyor and effects movement of it so that the seam along the second edge includes at least a portion which is arcuate.

Abstract: A folding guide for cutting and sewing machine workpieces formed from knit fabric for effecting folds therein prior to being sewn and cut having first and second plate elements disposed in vertically spaced and parallel alignment. A third plate element extending parallel to the first and second plate elements has an edge disposed intermediate the latter plate elements at an angle oblique thereto and with a pressing apparatus operatively associated with the third plate element for pressing the workpiece into contact therewith which prevents its displacement and permits folding of the workpiece that is being constrained by the edge of the third plate element as the workpiece is being advanced through the guide.

Abstract: A machine for sewing together two workpiece parts having edges of equal or unequal length by using a bead seam, especially for joining together the edge of a vamp and the shorter edge of a plug of a true moccasin shoe, so that the length of the plug matches that of the longer edge of the vamp, in only one operation. The bead seam forming device essentially consists of an auxiliary folding and ruffling finger acting in front of the needle of the sewing machine and in synchronous driving connection with the needle; several machines are described which are provided with different bead seam forming devices.

Abstract: Sheet material is taken from a supply, moved along its length to a cutting station, the sheet material is cut into segments, and the cut segments are moved parallel to their cut edges, the cut edges are hemmed, and the segments are folded. At the cutting station the leading portion of the sheet material is gripped and pulled from the entrance to the cutting station to the other side thereof, a slack bar is moved downwardly into the segment of sheet material in the cutting station to form slack in the segment, and the segment in the cutting station is clamped against parallel conveyor tapes. A cutting disc is drawn across the sheet material at the entrance to the cutting station, and the parallel conveyor tapes move the sheet parallel to its cut edges to a hemming station where the edges are folded and hemmed. The hems of the side edges are expanded after being mechanically formed and prior to being sewn.

Abstract: A work guiding device for a sewing machine having a sewing needle for joining two overlapping work plies at border areas thereof and folding back at least one border of one work ply comprises first and second U-shaped edge guides which face in opposite direction, a movable support carrying the edge guides and first and second guide rules movable into the vicinity of the needle. A drive is connected through the support and drives are connected to the guide rules to move one of the guide rules and one of the edge guides into the vicinity of the needle to form a channel therebetween for the work plies. The drives comprise double acting cylinders which are controlled by a circuit to selectively use the first edge guide with the first guide rule in a first channel and the second edge guide with the second guide rule in a second channel.

Abstract: The application discloses a method and apparatus for cutting bed sheets and the like from a large, continuous length of fabric, forming hems on the cut edges of the fabric panels, and then sewing the hems. The fabric is fed "wrong side out", and one of the hems is formed upside down while the other is formed right side up. One hem is formed more or less directly above the other. A pair of sewing machines are mounted one above the other, and the entire fabric panel, with the just-formed hem folds, is advanced laterally through the sewing machines, simultaneously sewing both hems. By arranging for the mounting of both sewing machines, one above the other, servicing of the machines by a single operator is readily accomplished. Moreover, the substantial amount of fabric between the two hems is accommodated in a generally vertically oriented loop of the fabric providing for highly efficient utilization of factory space.

Abstract: A guide device for a sewing machine, having a needle for sewing a stitch line in a sewing direction and a presser bar, for sewing together fabric plies of unequal thickness, comprises, a main sole part, with a stitch hole for the passage of the needle, connected to the presser bar, an auxiliary sole part connected to the presser bar having a first fold plate positioned upstream of the stitch hole in the sewing direction, and a second fold plate connected to the sewing machine and spaced at least one fabric thickness above the first fold plate. The first fold plate includes a guide edge extending laterally beyond the stitch line on one side thereof and the second fold plate has a guide edge extending laterally beyond the stitch line on an opposite side thereof, whereby, the first and second fold plates define a guide channel therebetween for forming and guiding an S-shape fold in the fabric.

Abstract: As a web of material is guided along an L-shaped path toward a sewing station, the web is progressively folded in the first leg of the L-shaped path, and the web is refolded into a binding fold as it turns from the first leg to the second leg of the L-shaped path. The folder through which the web of material passes progressively shapes the web into the desired fold, and the folder is open along its upper edge so that if the material is too wide or irregularly shaped, the upper edge of the material can protrude out of the folder as the material is being folded along the first leg of the L-shaped path, and when the material is being refolded, the protruding edge of the web is folded into the binding fold.

Abstract: A machine for sewing together two workpiece parts having edges of equal or unequal length by using a bead seam, especially for joining together the edge of a vamp and the shorter edge of a plug of a true moccasin shoe, so that the length of the plug matches that of the longer edge of the vamp, in only one operation. The bead seam forming device essentially consists of a folding finger acting in front of the needle of the sewing machine and in synchronous driving connection with the needle; several machines are described which are provided with different bead seam forming devices.

Abstract: A device for quickly sewing finishing elements such as edgings and collars onto knitted outerwear articles to be applied on chainstitch sewing machines comprises: (a) a braking member for the finishing element effective to maintain it in a tensioned or stretched condition; (b) a folding or bending member effective to fold or bend said finishing element, and (c) a feeding member effective to feed the folded or bent finishing element and the knitted article, under the foot of the sewing machine. The braking member is formed by a curved rod, onto the bottom of which presses a blade spring, and by two parallel vertical rods located upstream of the first rod, the finishing element passing at first between said two rods and then, together with the selvedge, between the curved rod and blade spring. The pressure exerted by the blade spring on the rod may be adjusted by a screw provided with a spring.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for folding over and pressing into position the edge strips of two material webs, stitched together along the seam, with two collaborating feeding and pressing devices, in which one of said feeding and pressing devices is in the form of a roller and is assembled from two cylindrical jacket members of identical size, which make contact with their inside facing and surfaces with reference to said roller in a common plane and which are radially displaceable relative to each other.

Abstract: A device for folding a strip of material, comprises, a support with a substantially U-shape guide having divergent first and second guide legs mounted on said support and having a widened entrance end for the insertion of a strip of material and a narrow discharge end for the discharge of the material. The guide is of a tapered, funnel-shape form, tapering inwardly from the entrance end to the discharge end and it is arranged alongside of a substantially U-shape folding element which is engageable therewith. The folding element is pivotally mounted on the support adjacent the guide and it includes a central folding web portion engageable into the guide between the guide legs and a leg portion joined to each side of the central web portion adapted to engage over the guide legs to fold the material thereover. The device is usable in association with a sewing machine in which, after the material is folded, it is engaged with a garment and sewn along the edge thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a loop in a seat belt and stitching the looped belt plies together. One sewing machine performs the strength forming stitch pattern such as the butterfly stitch and it is used as a master sewing machine whose sewing time of operation is maximized. During the stitching of butterfly pattern, another seat belt will have been fed into a loop forming means at which a loop is formed and its looped belt plies will have been tacked together by another sewing machine sewing a zigzag stitch. An automatic transfer means transfers looped belts from the first sewing station to the butterfly stitching machine. An automatic bobbin changing apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The guidance system pulls sheet material along its length from a supply and moves the sheet material across a work table through a sewing machine and the like. The sheet material extends through a loop and is moved from a level displaced from the level of the work surface of the work table about a horizontal guide bar and then onto the work table. An edge detector senses the edge of the sheet material, and the guide bar is pivoted about an upwardly extending axis in response to the drifting of the edge of the sheet material away from the desired predetermined path of movement toward the sewing machine to guide the edge of the material back to its desired path.

Abstract: A series of shirt cuff pattern parts are placed in spaced apart relationship on a web of lining material and a conveyor belt system engages and holds the layers of material together as they are moved through a folder and a sewing machine. The movement terminates automatically if the space between the pattern part last received by the system and the pattern part next to be fed to the system is too great or too small. The connected together series of partially completed shirt cuffs is continuously accumulated from the sewing machine on a reel, and the reel is subsequently moved to another work station where the connected series of partially completed shirt cuffs is fed to a cutter on a demand basis. The web of lining material is cut adjacent the trailing edge of the leading pattern part, and when an operator removes the separated partially completed shirt cuff from the connected series for further processing, the feeding and cutting steps are repeated.