Abstract: A positioning device for advancing a workpiece to and orienting the same in the sewing zone of a sewing unit. The device includes a feed table having a plurality of slots upstream of the sewing zone which are disposed at an angle relative to the line of sewing. A driven endless belt is operatively associated with each slot in the feed table and are disposed so as to partially protrude their respective slot. That portion of the endless belts protruding through their respective slots are caused to engage the underside of a workpiece and are effective in advancing the same to a position in front of the sewing machine's presser foot and in close proximity with a vertical guide wall extending parallel to the line of sewing.

Abstract: A sewing machine comprises a sewing machine support arm with a cloth feeding plate mounted on the support arm over which the material to be sewn is fed. A stop element is mounted on the support arm and it overlies the cloth feeding plate and it includes a portion which defines a material stop against which the material to be sewn may be positioned. The stop is made of a compressible material and it is compressible in the direction toward the feeding plate. A presser plate associated with the machine may advantageously be in the form of a button clamp may be moved downwardly into engagement with the stop which is raised slightly above the material and compress it downwardly until the plate clamps the material in place for the sewing operation.

Abstract: For a hem stitching operation with a sewing machine having a needle vertically reciprocating and also laterally swingable, a hem stitching presser foot is detachably mounted to a lower end of a presser bar of the sewing machine. The presser foot includes a brush like element which confronts a needle dropping hole formed in a sole of the presser foot, a frictional contact between the needle and the brush like element is produced when the needle passes the outside of the fabric edge, without penetrating the fabric, to stitch a portion of hem stitches on the outside of the fabric edge. The brush like element may be secured to the sole of the presser foot, or alternatively to a fabric guide member for engaging and guiding the fabric edge. The brush may be projected in the fabric feeding direction or across the fabric feeding direction. A pin may be located just beneath the brush like element for constant placement thereof.

Abstract: A sewing machine apparatus including a work support assembly and a positioning assembly that cooperate in moving a workpiece edge through the sewing station of the machine. The workpiece support assembly is arranged to carry and advance the open end of the workpiece in an endless loop configuration. The positioning assembly operatively rotates wih the work support and is effective to influence the lateral placement of the workpiece edge before and during the sewing cycle.

Abstract: A sewing machine for making edge-parallel shaping seams in multiple layer articles such as shirt collars comprises a reciprocating needle for sewing through the multiple layers of a workpiece such as a collar which has a plurality of edges disposed at angles to each other. The construction includes a guide fence having a guide edge extending alongside the needle. The material is guided against the guide edge. A feeder engages the workpiece from below a presser foot which is biased against the needle in a working position. The presser foot has an upwardly extending infeed end and a holddown member in the form of a strip element. It is adjustably supported above the workpiece and includes a front edge which is engaged downwardly on the workpiece and extends into the infeed end of the presser foot.

Abstract: A sewing mechanism is equipped with a drag clamp assembly for holding the ends of the fabric plies. The drag clamp assembly comprises two laterally spaced-apart clamps which are movable relative to each other in the sewing direction and of which the first clamp is opened when it is adjacent a contour control device, and the second clamp laterally thereof is opened near the stitch forming area. The drag clamp assembly enables the contour control device to remain in a working position during the entire sewing operation, and the clamp moving past the contour control device holds the fabric plies taut up to the end of the sewing operation.

Abstract: A succession of like textile fabric pieces is placed in a series on a conveyor which runs through an automated sewing station. There is some space between individual pieces. Immediately prior to the sewing station, the lateral disposition of a critical site on the piece about to be sewn and then being sewn is automatically sensed and, if necessary, automatically shifted to a uniform disposition. Preferably any error in original placement of the pieces is in placing the edge too far over in one lateral direction, so that if any adjustment is necessary, it takes the form of pushing the respective fabric piece edge margin laterally of the conveyor toward the opposite edge of that fabric piece. Thus, it is generally not necessary to laterally drag the whole fabric piece laterally of the conveyor, but only necessary to move a small marginal portion of the fabric piece.

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: A universal stitching and seam guide attachable to any sewing machine for permitting the operator to produce straight or curved stitchings, and even and uniform seams and hems. A thin steel mounting plate having a pressure sensitive adhesive on its bottom surface is provided for installation on a sewing machine bed plate adjacent the needle plate and presser foot. A guide plate is provided formed from magnetized rubber-like material and having straight sides and curved sides. The guide plate is placed on the mounting plate and is held in place by magnetism. The appropriate edge is selectively positioned for the type of stitching being performed. The guide plate will also adhere to the needle plate on the machine when a narrow tuck, edge stitching or seam is to be made.

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: The arrangement comprises a sewing apparatus which is partially supported below a material-supporting table and which partially extends through an opening above the table surface. Control means are provided to control the operation of the sewing apparatus as well as to feed the material to be sewn along each direction in which a seam is to be formed. Sensing means are provided to sense the fact that a seam has been completed. Also, means are provided which clamp the material to the table after each seam is sewn. The control means further include means to rotate the sewing apparatus and align it in such a way that when the material is again fed to the sewing apparatus, the latter sews a successive seam along a different selected direction.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for top stitching parallel to the edge of a garment panel in which edge is a corner, there are provided means for detecting the approach of the corner and thereupon reducing the speed of movement of the panel through the machine and means acting on the underside of the panel to impart a turning motion thereto.

Abstract: An improved tape for use in locating buttons and the corresponding buttonholes is formed of a perforated strip of fabric, paper, or plastic material with two corresponding series of locating indicia. The tape has a pressure-sensitive adhesive to adhere the strip temporarily to the fabric of a garment, and is perforated between the two sets of locating indicia.In use, two panels of fabric to have attached buttons and to be worked for buttonholes are laid side by side, or in overlapping relationship and the tape is adhered to both panels.The two halves of the tape are separated along the perforations, and the button and buttonhole indicia remain adhered to the panels of fabric, in perfect alignment until the sewing and working is completed.

Abstract: A sewing machine with guide mechanism for automatically producing a curved edge parallel seam comprises a scanning unit for scanning the edge of a workpiece and sensing when the edge of the workpiece moves away from an edge guide which indicates the presence of a curved edge, a workpiece feeder for feeding the workpiece along the guide edge, a workpiece pressure stamp for applying pressure on the workpiece at a point spaced from the guide to cause rotation of the workpiece about the point when the pressure stamp is activated and a circuit connected between the scanning unit and the pressure stamp for intermittently activating the pressure stamp when the scanner senses the presence of a curved edge area of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning fabric edges which includes a microprocessor, a photocell array, A/D converter and multiplexer. Various readings of the photocell array are made during the cycle. These readings are recorded and in conjunction with others made during the fabric edge alignment step, are employed to determine when the fabric edges are aligned.

Abstract: A thread guide is used in combination with a standard sewing machine having a work table and a fabric feed for displacing a workpiece to be sewn on the table in a predetermined forward longitudinal direction through a sewing station on the table. The fabric guide comprises a transversely elastically deformable band extending generally in the workpiece-displacement direction and oriented on edge and holders engaging the band at a plurality of longitudinally offset locations for securing the band on the table with each of the locations in any of a multiplicity of transversely offset positions. Thus the band can be deformed into and held in a nonstraight shape. The guide further has a carriage displaceable on the table along the guide and provided with a clip fastenable on the workpiece, and a counterweight urging the carriage and clip longitudinally in a backward longitudinal direction opposite the forward longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Two workpiece plies, placed on one another, of which the lower one is larger in width than the upper one, are to be sewn together with their edge contours aligned with each other. The device used for this purpose comprises a cutting mechanism provided ahead of the sewing machine in a workpiece feed direction, and following the contour of the upper work ply by means of guide unit for sensing this contour, so that the projecting portion of the work ply is cut off. To prevent the work plies from mutual displacement during their feeding toward the sewing machine, they are secured to each other by spot sealing at some locations wherefor a sealing tape is introduced between the plies.

Abstract: A high speed, portable, rug binding machine in the form of an electric-powered hand-tool carrying and dispensing a roll of binding tape has floor-engaging canted wheels for directing the frame of the machine into a rug as it is rolled along a rug edge to which a binding is stapled by the machine as the operator pulls a trigger causing a solenoid to drive the stapler by way of a power linkage which automatically adjusts for rug and for binding thickness; the machine has adjustment for varying rug-to-binding holding force, prior to stapling, and rug introduction angle; simplicity of mechanism provides compactness and light weight suitable for one-hand manipulation by the operator under all conditions.

Abstract: An invisible stitch hemming device for sewing tubular workpieces having first and second vertical walls interconnected and angularly disposed one to the other. A feeler element disposed in close proximity with the walls detects areas of the workpiece having increased thickness and is operatively connected to an actuating means which is effective when such areas are detected in displacing the first wall to permit unrestricted advance of the workpiece and simultaneously the second wall moves to a position for maintaining the workpiece in alignment with the sewing axis.

Abstract: A workpiece guide for separately guiding, aligning and removing the curled edges of superposed layers of fabric to be joined by seaming in a sewing machine. The guide includes a plurality of spaced and vertically aligned plate elements forming passages therebetween for the fabric layers. The leading edges of the plate elements have a curved profile and adjacent the sewing axis these profiles are formed to extend in the direction of the sewing zone and define recesses with a configuration of bulbous outline. The edges of the plate elements forming the entrance to the recesses are tapered in the direction of their respective passages and are effective in engaging the pieces of fabric to complete the unrolling and straightening of the fabric edges as they enter their respective passage.

Abstract: An installation for the linear treatment, such as sewing, along a curved edge, of a flexible piece of fabric or other material comprises: a sewing machine; a device for moving the piece along an axis; a work table for supporting the piece during its treatment; and a correcting device comprising: detection means for detecting the presence of the piece 1 in a zone upstream of the point of treatment and situated on one side with respect to the axis of treatment, and re-centering means comprising one part of the work table which is movable in rotation about an axis which is offset with respect to the axis of treatment and a motor controlled by the said detection means for driving the said part in rotation. The invention finds an application with cording machines in particular.

Abstract: A hem forming means comprising a guide shoe suspended with limited movability on a spring clip directly in front of the needle hole of the machine. The spring clip, which is arranged at right angles to the conveying direction of the sewing material is attached to a ruler forming an edge abutment surface for the sewing material. In the zone of the edge abutment surface, the guide shoe is provided with a turndown nose which has, on the side facing away from the ruler, a lateral surface extending with broadening of the turndown nose at an acute angle with respect to the needle hole. This lateral surface extends at a spacing parallel to a beveled surface of the base plate, said beveled surface extending toward the needle center. The beveled surface constitutes one limitation of a wedge-shaped edge cutout of the base plate, into which the turndown nose of the guide shoe disposed thereabove can enter under spring pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for providing stitching along the edges of material panels on a semi-automatic basis includes a sewing machine (28) and a material locator assembly (30). The locator assembly (30) incorporates a guide member (62) with a predetermined guide edge for engaging the edges of the material panels prior to sewing. Sensor (46) senses the presence of a material panel in proximity with the sewing machine (28). Sensor (70) senses engagement with guide member (62) by a material panel. A clamp assembly (122) selectively immobilizes each material panel after sewing and before collection by stacker assembly (34). Preferably, air flow is directed through ports (50) formed in a portion of the working surface adjacent to the sewing machine (28) to facilitate advancement of each material panel.

Abstract: A device for simultaneously guiding at least two layers of fabric to the stitching instrumentalities of a sewing machine in which a portion of one layer has a greater width than that of the other. The device includes superposed passages with a limiting element within each passage for separately engaging and guiding the edges of the layers of fabric. One of the limiting elements is fixedly held within its respective passage and the other is movable. The movable limiting element serves to align that portion of the layer of wider width with the edge of the adjacent layer prior to joining the layers by an assembly seam.

Abstract: A device for the automatic guiding of a workpiece on a sewing machine to produce a curved edge parallel seam operates in conjunction with a sewing machine having a reciprocating needle and a presser foot engageable with the workpiece and a feed member engageable with the workpiece to move it relative to the needle. The sewing machine also includes a guide roll disposed in spaced relationship to the needle for guiding the edge of the workpiece and a scanner for scanning the workpiece edge for sensing its position. In accordance with the position sensed, a plunger is mounted above the workpiece and is movable into the engagement with the workpiece to hold the workpiece at a selected point so as to turn the workpiece during the feeding movement of the workpiece by this feed member.

Abstract: Apparatus for independently guiding two overlaid fabric workpieces as they are simultaneously fed through a sewing work station and are seamed together, wherein the guide apparatus comprises a pair of opposed guide wheels located upstream from the work station with respect to the direction of workpiece feed through the work station; separate servo motors for rotating guide wheels in planes perpendicular to the direction of workpiece feed; a separating bar for spacing apart the two workpieces and for individually pressing them against a different one of the guide wheels; and separate sensors for monitoring the edges of each workpiece and for controlling the servo motors separately to rotate their guide wheels so as to center each workpiece edge opposite its corresponding sensor.

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: 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: Sheet material is taken from a supply, moved along its length to a cutting station, an edge thereof is hemmed as it moves toward the 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, the sheet material is clamped adjacent the entrance to the cutting station 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.

Abstract: A sewing machine is disclosed wherein the position of the edge of a work fabric is sensed and signals are generated to control the needle jogging mechanism in order to sew a line of stitches a substantially constant predetermined distance from the edge.

Abstract: A sewing machine installation for sewing shirt front box hems and having a first underlying belt conveyor for individually conveying shirt front material blanks longitudinally forwardly along a lower main support table through a shirt front edge folder and a second overlying belt conveyor for individually conveying separate box hem material blanks with a liner tape longitudinally forwardly along an upper auxiliary table section through a box hem edge folder and into superimposed preassembled association with the prefolded shirt front blanks; the overlying and underlying conveyors thereafter cooperating for conveying the preassembled shirt front box hems longitudinally forwardly along the main support table through sewing and shearing stations for sewing the preassembled shirt front box hems and shearing excess material from the leading and trailing edges thereof.

Abstract: A sewing machine having an edge guide for producing a stitched seam along an edge of a workpiece terminating at another edge forming an angle with the first has an optical device for directing a pencil or beam of light toward a reflective surface which underlies the workpiece and is covered thereby until the movement of the workpiece exposes the reflective surface at this other edge. The optical detector then produces a signal for initiating a control function, e.g. the change of stitch pattern to tie off the end of the previously sewn seam or to lodge the needle in the fabric so that the workpiece may be turned to bring the other edge into contact with the edge guide. The control system can include a programmer for the successive stitching operations which are initiated in succession in response to the optical sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the orientation of a fabric work piece being sewn by mechanically following the fabric work piece orientation, connecting a detector to move in response to a change in the fabric work piece orientation, moving a pattern representing a desired stitching pattern past the detector in synchronism with the rate of feed of the fabric work piece through the sewing machine and reorienting the fabric work piece in a manner to cause the detector to accurately follow the pattern of the desired stitching.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding work through a sewing machine in which the work, as it is fed through the machine, is biased laterally into engagement with an edge guide by a vacuum-induced flow of air. The apparatus is particularly useful for guiding superposed plies of material as they are fed through the machine and aligning the edges of the plies along which they are stitched by the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically sewing workpieces along edges of each workpiece extending in different directions, in which a workpiece is automatically turned when it has been stitched along one edge for stitching it along the next edge, by blowing air on the workpiece to swing it around, using the needle of the sewing machine as a pivot, and in which workpieces are automatically entered in the sewing machine for being stitched and automatically removed after they have been stitched.

Abstract: An automatic guiding method and device for work piece in a sewing machine, in which whether or not the side edge of a work piece is in a proper position or a control position, or biased in a direction away from the control position, is detected upstream of a stitching point. When the side edge of a work piece is biased in a direction away from the control position, the work piece is drawn back to the control position. The side edge of the work piece is restricted from being biased past the control position beyond an allowable amount.

Abstract: An automatic sewing machine includes a device for advancing and sewing a workpiece having a plurality of edges contiguous to each other in angular relationship, a device for guiding the edges of the workpiece in succession while the workpiece is being sewn, and a device for turning the workpiece about the sewing point of the sewing machine after one edge of the workpiece has been sewn to align another edge of the workpiece contiguous to such one edge with the advancing direction of the work.

Abstract: A guiding apparatus in a sewing unit for seaming superimposed layers of cloth having intersecting seams defining areas of increased thickness. The apparatus includes a pair of spaced channel type guides within which the layers of cloth are guided during their advance to the stitch forming instrumentalities. The areas of increased thickness are disposed intermediate the two guides which are both movable to and from positions of close proximity with the stitch forming area. As the guide most remote from the machine's needle approaches the latter the guide adjacent the needle is timed to be withdrawn to an inoperative position permitting the approaching guide to assume the withdrawn guide's operating position thereby permitting the areas of increased thickness to be presented to the stitching instrumentalities without passing through the channels of either of the guides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic guiding device for the workpiece on a sewing machine of the type imposing a drag on the workpiece via a presser foot and claws with a pressure inducing foot, comprises, in or near the edge of the pressure inducing foot which is in the vicinity of the presser foot, a cut-out or window through which passes the stem of the guiding pressure inducing member, said stem having its extremity dome shaped and pressing directly the workpiece onto the plane surface of the work table.This device allows stitching at a distance of 5 millimeters from the workpiece edge.

Abstract: Stocking toe end closing apparatus of the type having a series of horizontal stocking turning tubes mounted on a rotatable base for indexing to a position for spreading stocking toe ends carried on the supports, and for further indexing to a seaming position where the stocking toe ends are closed. The turning tubes are connected to a suction source at index positions before and after the spreading and closing positions for everting stockings thereat.

Abstract: There are provided improvements relating to sewing machines for use in the textile field where two or more layers of material are to be sewn together with a conventional sewing head. In the sewing apparatus, there is provided a positioning member for positioning the layers of fabric to be sewn in which one layer passes above and the other below the positioning member; the positioning member includes first means for displacing a pressurized gaseous flow along one major surface of the positioning member to position the first layer of material and a second source of a gaseous flow along the other of the major surfaces of the positioning member to position the other layer of material.

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: The present invention relates to an apparatus which removes from the stitching area of a sewing machine a continuous strip of material which has been severed from the marginal edge of a workpiece being sewn. The apparatus includes a tubular member having an inlet end positioned above the work support and in front of the material severing mechanism of the machine. The other end of the tube is connected to a source of reduced pressure whereby creating a suction at the inlet end of the tubular member for drawing the continuous severed strip away from the material trimming mechanism and the stitching area.

Abstract: A sewing machine for the production of edge-parallel seams on layers of sewing material which includes a reciprocating needle which is movable through a stitch-forming station and a material feed for advancing the materials in a feeding direction through the station. The guide means for the material comprises a plurality of plates arranged in spaced vertical relationship one above the other and defining at least two separate material feed paths between adjacent plates. Each feed path has its own end guide or rule for the edge of the material which extends along a line extending laterally in a feeding direction through the needle axis. The construction includes an adjustable pressure member and a counterplate for applying and releasing pressure from materials being fed which is located at a spaced location from the end guides or rulers.

Abstract: A sewing machine for producing edge parallel seams in workpieces of any contour, includes a sewing machine needle which is reciprocated in a stitch forming area. A workpiece ruler guide extends laterally of the stitch forming area at an angle to a line passing through the needle axis. In addition, there is a workpiece guide mechanism which includes upper and lower guide plates forming a workpiece passage space therebetween which extends alongside the ruler. The upper plate is mounted over the lower plate for upward and downward movement relative to the lower plate and it includes a pressure point for applying a braking action on the workpiece which is effective when a tension member which is engageable with a pressure spring moves in a direction to stretch the pressure spring and increase the tension acting thereon and to urge the lower plate downwardly into engagement with the workpiece.

Abstract: A sewing station in which lengthy material, e.g. sleeve or trouser-leg fabric workpieces, can be provided with a seam in substantially automated operation. The material to be sewn is advanced from a loading station, where it is initially held by a fixed clamp, to the sewing machine. While the material is advanced past the sewing machine by the fabric transport, it is guided by a moving or trailing clamp which trails along with the material holding it in lightly stretched relation to the sewing machine transport mechanism. The clamps are provided with pneumatic pistons which actuate or perform the clamping functions. The pistons are controlled by switches and valves to alternatingly open and close the clamps as required by the seaming operation. The station provides for a simplified operation requiring monitoring by an operator only for the initial positioning and initial seaming.

Abstract: A workpiece guide device for sewing machines, especially for the edge-true seaming of at least two workpiece (fabric) pieces, e.g. trouser parts, on a sewing machine, comprises a vertically disposed linear-guide element on the sewing table for alignment of the edges of the pieces to be guided horizontally, and a three-plate stack extending generally transversely to the plane of the linear edge guide and mounted upon a slide for movement toward and away from the stitching location. Preferably clamping means is provided to engage the fabric pieces between the plates.

Abstract: Work feeding and automatic guidance mechanism are combined in a single curvature-controlled means located on one side of a workpiece being progressively processed in a machine, for instance a stitcher. Accordingly, separate feed dog mechanism or equivalent is eliminated. The feeding-steering means preferably comprises a rotary ring orbitally driven about an operating tool such as a needle, and effects guidance and feeding of the work synchronously in intervals when the tool is disengaged from the work.

Abstract: A guide for directing two pieces of fur to the stitching instrumentalities of a sewing machine for joining one to the other. The guide includes a funnel shaped element having channels formed adjacent its narrowest end that are separated by a depending guide plate. A source of compressed air is directed into the channels and serves to maintain the fur on the upper portion of the two pieces in a position where it had been folded inwardly and downwardly between the pieces by the upper surfaces of the funnel shaped element and the depending guide plate.

Abstract: A tubular workpiece is fed toward a stitch forming means while forcing the marginal edge portion of the workpiece upwardly against an annular peripheral portion of a rotatable guide plate and then across an upper flat surface of the guide plate. This action automatically forms a substantially Z-shaped fold in the marginal portion of the workpiece. This fold is both interiorly and exteriorly guided so that the fold is formed into a triple-thickness hem which is thereafter sewn by the stitch former. The edge of the marginal portion of the workpiece is maintained in a predetermined alignment with respect to the direction of feed of the workpiece by rotating the guide plate in either the clockwise or counterclockwise directions.