A thread finger assembly for a sewing machine has at least one thread finger. The latter can be actuated between a loop engagement position and a loop pull-out position. The loop engagement position serves for the engagement of the thread finger in a thread loop generated by the sewing machine in a stitch forming region. The loop pull-out position is displaced relative to the loop engagement position for pulling out the thread loop with the thread finger, away from the stitch forming area. A thread finger drive serves for actuating the thread finger between the loop engagement position and the loop pull-out position. This results in an assembly of a sewing machine with which an appealing seam pattern is generated in a reproducible manner at a seam beginning.

A thread finger assembly for a sewing machine has at least one thread finger. The latter can be actuated between a loop engagement position and a loop pull-out position. The loop engagement position serves for the engagement of the thread finger in a thread loop generated by the sewing machine in a stitch forming region. The loop pull-out position is displaced relative to the loop engagement position for pulling out the thread loop with the thread finger, away from the stitch forming area. A thread finger drive serves for actuating the thread finger between the loop engagement position and the loop pull-out position. This results in an assembly of a sewing machine with which an appealing seam pattern is generated in a reproducible manner at a seam beginning.

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 thread take-up lever switching mechanism can switch the operation of a thread take-up lever which is interlocked with an upper shaft. The thread take-up lever switching mechanism includes: a cylindrical cam provided on the upper shaft, the cylindrical cam having a plurality of cam surfaces; a contact portion provided on the thread take-up lever, the contact portion contacting a first surface of the plurality of cam surfaces; and a switch for switching the contact portion from a first position of contacting the first surface of the plurality of cam surfaces to a second position of contacting a second surface of the plurality of cam surfaces.

In a first step, a needle pierces into an object to be sewed by reciprocal motion and leaves from the object to be sewed after the tip of the needle has penetrated therethrough. At this time, the needle is placed in a state of being stopped relative to the object to be sewed. In a second step, the needle leaves from the object to be sewed. At this time, the needle is moved relative to the object to be sewed along a sewing direction (sewing line).

In a first step, a needle pierces into an object to be sewed by reciprocal motion and leaves from the object to be sewed after the tip of the needle has penetrated therethrough. At this time, the needle is placed in a state of being stopped relative to the object to be sewed. In a second step, the needle leaves from the object to be sewed. At this time, the needle is moved relative to the object to be sewed along a sewing direction (sewing line).

An apparatus and method for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration is provided. The apparatus having a head with a needle bar assembly operatively coupled to the head; a looper configured to cooperate with the needle bar assembly in order to provide a plurality of stitches in the decorative component, the looper rotating in a plane parallel to the decorative component; and a post assembly configured to drive the looper in a reciprocating fashion in the plane, wherein the post assembly is operatively coupled to a motor configured to drive the needle bar assembly in a reciprocating fashion.

An apparatus and method for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration is provided. The apparatus having a head with a needle bar assembly operatively coupled to the head; a looper configured to cooperate with the needle bar assembly in order to provide a plurality of stitches in the decorative component, the looper rotating in a plane parallel to the decorative component; and a post assembly configured to drive the looper in a reciprocating fashion in the plane, wherein the post assembly is operatively coupled to a motor configured to drive the needle bar assembly in a reciprocating fashion.

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 stitches.