Provided are: a sewing device provided with a sewing mechanism which performs sewing on a work to be sewn using a sewing-machine needle, while holding the work to be sewn in a state of being shaped in a predetermined shape on a plurality of seating portions arranged in a sewing direction; and a sewing method. When the seating portions are withdrawn from the work to be sewn so as to avoid interference between the sewing mechanism and the seating portions, a guiding mechanism enables movement in a first withdrawing direction for avoiding a first undercut portion of the work to be sewn, and movement in a second withdrawing direction for avoiding a second undercut portion of the work to be sewn.

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. An automated sewing process feed control system is disclosed in which a material aligner is utilized. An omni-chain material aligner can include a circular roller chain in which the rollers allow for a controlling force to be applied to a material. An omni-belt material aligner can include a belt with attached perpendicular rollers which allow feed control and active motorized steering control. The material aligner can control the pressure applied onto the material to facilitate control of feeding the material.

Various examples are provided related to transporting and sewing material in, e.g., automation of sewing robots. An automated sewing process feed control system is disclosed in which a material aligner is utilized. An omni-chain material aligner can include a circular roller chain in which the rollers allow for a controlling force to be applied to a material. An omni-belt material aligner can include a belt with attached perpendicular rollers which allow feed control and active motorized steering control. The material aligner can control the pressure applied onto the material to facilitate control of feeding the material.

A sewing frame unit is provided. The sewing frame unit includes a frame support structure; a frame assembly affixed to the frame support structure; a machine carriage assembly mounted on the frame support structure. The machine carriage assembly provides for lateral and longitudinal movement of the sewing machine. A sensor is mounted on the machine carriage assembly or on the frame assembly for detecting a position of the sewing machine.

A manufacturing method of a trim cover surface material, includes: providing a jig including a first frame configured to hold an outer periphery of an outer material and a second frame configured to hold an outer periphery of a wadding material by overlapping the wadding material on the outer material which is held by the first frame; holding the outer periphery of the outer material with the first frame of the jig; forming through holes at the outer material which is held by the jig; holding the outer periphery of the wadding material with the second frame of the jig while the outer material is held by the first frame of the jig; and forming stitches at the outer material and the wadding material which are overlapped and held by the jig.

A manufacturing method of a trim cover surface material, includes: providing a jig including a first frame configured to hold an outer periphery of an outer material and a second frame configured to hold an outer periphery of a wadding material by overlapping the wadding material on the outer material which is held by the first frame; holding the outer periphery of the outer material with the first frame of the jig; forming through holes at the outer material which is held by the jig; holding the outer periphery of the wadding material with the second frame of the jig while the outer material is held by the first frame of the jig; and forming stitches at the outer material and the wadding material which are overlapped and held by the jig.

A quilting frame assembly for machine quilting of a quilt core using a quilting machine, the quilting frame assembly having a quilting frame with a first frame element and a second frame element, a machine carriage assembly, a plurality of first element clips, and one or more second element clips, each first element clip being u-shaped, spring biased and reciprocating, and having a plurality of first clip inside frame receiver facets dimensioned and positioned to engage with two or more first frame cross-sectional corners of a first frame element member, and each second element clip being u-shaped, spring biased and reciprocating, and having a plurality of second clip inside frame receiver facets dimensioned and positioned to engage with two or more second frame cross-sectional corners of a second frame element member.

A pallet drive system is provided that is operable for use on a sewing system. The pallet drive system has a pallet that is configured to hold a work-piece in position. A pair of alignment posts is coupled to the pallet. In exemplary aspects, each alignment post has a shape with surfaces extending in three dimensions along x, y and z axes. A corresponding pair of gripping fingers is coupled to a sewing machine, corresponding to each alignment post, that are moveable between an open position, allowing the alignment post to be positioned between the gripping fingers, and a closed position where the gripping fingers surround the alignment post. The gripping fingers define a cavity in the closed position to surround the alignment post in the x, y and z axes.

A pallet drive system is provided that is operable for use on a sewing system. The pallet drive system has a pallet that is configured to hold a work-piece in position. A pair of alignment posts is coupled to the pallet. In exemplary aspects, each alignment post has a shape with surfaces extending in three dimensions along x, y and z axes. A corresponding pair of gripping fingers is coupled to a sewing machine, corresponding to each alignment post, that are moveable between an open position, allowing the alignment post to be positioned between the gripping fingers, and a closed position where the gripping fingers surround the alignment post. The gripping fingers define a cavity in the closed position to surround the alignment post in the x, y and z axes.

A quick quilt attachment apparatus and method consists of a leader with a frame end and a quilt end. A first quick connector is provided at both the frame end and the quilt end of the leader. A trap flap is provided where the trap flap has a first end connected with the leader and a second end where the second end includes a second quick connector conformed to connect the second end of the trap flap to the first quick connector at the quilt end of the leader.