A sewing machine includes a support surface for two plies of material to be sewn together and a sewing mechanism that is attached to the support surface and is in operative connection with a machine controller, wherein a plate element positioned between the two material plies is arranged in the material feed area thereof. A vertical adjustment device for the plate element that is actuatable by the machine controller adjusts a vertical distance between the support surface and the plate element, and thus also influences the feed of material to the sewing mechanism. The vertical adjustment device is equipped with an electromagnet for adjusting the position of the plate element. The plate element is equipped with a magnet, which cooperates with the electromagnet.

In a sewing machine, a switching mechanism is coupled to a slide arm of a transmission mechanism included in an upper feed mechanism. When the switching mechanism is operated, the slide arm is switched between a transmission state in which the driving force of a driving cam is transmitted to a feed link mechanism and a non-transmission state in which the driving force of the driving cam is not transmitted to the link mechanism 61. This allows the switching mechanism to switch the slide arm 60A to the non-transmission state. This allows the operation of the feed link mechanism to be suspended, and allows the upper-lower movement of an upper feed dog to be suspended. Accordingly, this contributes to a reduction in vibration and noise in the sewing machine.

In a sewing machine, a switching mechanism is coupled to a slide arm of a transmission mechanism included in an upper feed mechanism. When the switching mechanism is operated, the slide arm is switched between a transmission state in which the driving force of a driving cam is transmitted to a feed link mechanism and a non-transmission state in which the driving force of the driving cam is not transmitted to the link mechanism 61. This allows the switching mechanism to switch the slide arm 60A to the non-transmission state. This allows the operation of the feed link mechanism to be suspended, and allows the upper-lower movement of an upper feed dog to be suspended. Accordingly, this contributes to a reduction in vibration and noise in the sewing machine.

A sewing machine includes a movement mechanism, a swinging mechanism, a presser device, a guide portion, a processor, and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquiring pattern data used for sewing a couching pattern in which a plurality of motifs are continuously arranged. The motif is configured in a predetermined shape by a plurality of stitches including a main stitch and a sub-stitch. The processes include correcting at least one selected from the group of a start point position and an end point position of the main stitch of one of the motifs, such that the length of the main stitch of the one motif is longer in a second case than in a first case, and driving the movement mechanism and the swinging mechanism in accordance with the corrected pattern data.

A sewing machine includes a movement mechanism, a swinging mechanism, a presser device, a guide portion, a processor, and a memory configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes. The processes include acquiring pattern data used for sewing a couching pattern in which a plurality of motifs are continuously arranged. The motif is configured in a predetermined shape by a plurality of stitches including a main stitch and a sub-stitch. The processes include correcting at least one selected from the group of a start point position and an end point position of the main stitch of one of the motifs, such that the length of the main stitch of the one motif is longer in a second case than in a first case, and driving the movement mechanism and the swinging mechanism in accordance with the corrected pattern data.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for quilting webs without compressing the webs. A quilting machine includes a needle bar to which needles are attached, needle thread passing through each needle, a looper shaft to which loopers are attached, a looper corresponding to each needle and from which looper thread is provided to form stitches, and a retainer bar to which spreaders are attached to facilitate stitching. A drive pulley powered by a first servo motor rotates cranks to move the needles through a cycle and rotates a belt which rotates an indexer pulley. Rotation of the indexer pulley oscillates the looper shaft and reciprocates the retainer bar. Another drive pulley powered by a second servo motor operates to move an input web through the machine between chain stiches.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for quilting webs without compressing the webs. A quilting machine includes a needle bar to which needles are attached, needle thread passing through each needle, a looper shaft to which loopers are attached, a looper corresponding to each needle and from which looper thread is provided to form stitches, and a retainer bar to which spreaders are attached to facilitate stitching. A drive pulley powered by a first servo motor rotates cranks to move the needles through a cycle and rotates a belt which rotates an indexer pulley. Rotation of the indexer pulley oscillates the looper shaft and reciprocates the retainer bar. Another drive pulley powered by a second servo motor operates to move an input web through the machine between chain stiches.

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for quilting webs without compressing the webs. A quilting machine includes a needle bar to which needles are attached, needle thread passing through each needle, a looper shaft to which loopers are attached, a looper corresponding to each needle and from which looper thread is provided to form stitches, and a retainer bar to which spreaders are attached to facilitate stitching. A drive pulley powered by a first servo motor rotates cranks to move the needles through a cycle and rotates a belt which rotates an indexer pulley. Rotation of the indexer pulley oscillates the looper shaft and reciprocates the retainer bar. Another drive pulley powered by a second servo motor operates to move an input web through the machine between chain stiches.

A feed-dog stabilizing mechanism for a sewing machine essentially includes a support member and a drive source. The support member is disposed below a feed dog and driven to move by the drive source, so that the support member can push against the feed dog, and as a result, the height at which the fabric is bitten by the feed dog can be maintained during the course of fabric feeding to maintain the optimum feeding efficiency.

A feed-dog stabilizing mechanism for a sewing machine essentially includes a support member and a drive source. The support member is disposed below a feed dog and driven to move by the drive source, so that the support member can push against the feed dog, and as a result, the height at which the fabric is bitten by the feed dog can be maintained during the course of fabric feeding to maintain the optimum feeding efficiency.