A method and the device for acquiring and processing measurement quantities in a sewing machine (1) using at least one camera (25), situated on a sewing machine (1), for the acquisition and processing of image data for sewing machine elements and sewing elements. An image processing unit connected downstream from the camera (25) processes the images supplied by the camera (25), taking into account data stored in a target quantity memory, and influences the behavior of the machine control unit dependent on the result of the processing.

A multi-needle sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars, a needle bar case having a thread supply path along which threads are supplied to needles attached to lower ends of the needle bars respectively, the needle bar case supporting the needle bars, an arm on which the needle bar case is mounted, an embroidery frame located below the needle bar case and configured to hold a workpiece cloth, a projector configured to project an image onto the workpiece cloth from above the embroidery frame, and a support member supporting the projector and configured to be capable of switching the projector between a first position where the image is projectable onto the workpiece cloth and a second position differing from the first position.

A multi-needle sewing machine includes a plurality of needle bars, a needle bar case having a thread supply path along which threads are supplied to needles attached to lower ends of the needle bars respectively, the needle bar case supporting the needle bars, an arm on which the needle bar case is mounted, an embroidery frame located below the needle bar case and configured to hold a workpiece cloth, a projector configured to project an image onto the workpiece cloth from above the embroidery frame, and a support member supporting the projector and configured to be capable of switching the projector between a first position where the image is projectable onto the workpiece cloth and a second position differing from the first position.

A sewing machine includes a vertical shuttle and a middle shuttle presser disposed at a front side of the vertical shuttle. The sewing machine includes a presser frame, an optical upper thread detector and a stitch skipping detection processor. The presser frame is movably supported between a pressing position at which the middle shuttle presser is pressed and a retract position separated from the pressing position. The optical upper thread detector is provided at the presser frame and is configured to detect passage of an upper thread using detecting light which passes through passage portions formed in the middle shuttle presser and which crosses a front side of a bobbin case of the vertical shuttle. The stitch skipping detection processor is configured to determine whether the passage of the upper thread is present based on an amount of received light of the detecting light from the upper thread detector.

A sewing machine includes a vertical shuttle and a middle shuttle presser disposed at a front side of the vertical shuttle. The sewing machine includes a presser frame, an optical upper thread detector and a stitch skipping detection processor. The presser frame is movably supported between a pressing position at which the middle shuttle presser is pressed and a retract position separated from the pressing position. The optical upper thread detector is provided at the presser frame and is configured to detect passage of an upper thread using detecting light which passes through passage portions formed in the middle shuttle presser and which crosses a front side of a bobbin case of the vertical shuttle. The stitch skipping detection processor is configured to determine whether the passage of the upper thread is present based on an amount of received light of the detecting light from the upper thread detector.

An independent thread tension apparatus and method has a thread support where the thread support releasably retains thread. A motor is connected with the thread support and a controller is connected with the motor such that the controller operates to move the thread support in a first direction as thread is pulled off the thread support in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that a selected tension is added to the thread.

An independent thread tension apparatus and method has a thread support where the thread support releasably retains thread. A motor is connected with the thread support and a controller is connected with the motor such that the controller operates to move the thread support in a first direction as thread is pulled off the thread support in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that a selected tension is added to the thread.

A sewing machine includes a vertical shuttle and a middle shuttle presser disposed at a front side of the vertical shuttle. The sewing machine includes a presser frame, an optical upper thread detector and a stitch skipping detection processor. The presser frame is movably supported between a pressing position at which the middle shuttle presser is pressed and a retract position separated from the pressing position. The optical upper thread detector is provided at the presser frame and is configured to detect passage of an upper thread using detecting light which passes through passage portions formed in the middle shuttle presser and which crosses a front side of a bobbin case of the vertical shuttle. The stitch skipping detection processor is configured to determine whether the passage of the upper thread is present based on an amount of received light of the detecting light from the upper thread detector.

A sewing machine includes a vertical shuttle and a middle shuttle presser disposed at a front side of the vertical shuttle. The sewing machine includes a presser frame, an optical upper thread detector and a stitch skipping detection processor. The presser frame is movably supported between a pressing position at which the middle shuttle presser is pressed and a retract position separated from the pressing position. The optical upper thread detector is provided at the presser frame and is configured to detect passage of an upper thread using detecting light which passes through passage portions formed in the middle shuttle presser and which crosses a front side of a bobbin case of the vertical shuttle. The stitch skipping detection processor is configured to determine whether the passage of the upper thread is present based on an amount of received light of the detecting light from the upper thread detector.