An embroidery sewing machine calculates the number of designs to be used for sewing for a length that is closest to a desired sewing length, based on the desired sewing length and information regarding the designs. The embroidery sewing machine calculates the sewing length based on the calculated number of designs and the information regarding the designs. Furthermore, the embroidery sewing machine adjusts the length of each design such that the calculated sewing length matches the desired sewing length, and converts the adjusted data of the designs into embroidery data. This enables sewing such that the sewing start and end points match each other or junction matching is secured, even in a case of sewing in the form of various kinds of combinations of curves and lines or the like. In addition, this provides an embroidery sewing machine that is capable of executing sewing with an improved appearance.

An embroidery sewing machine calculates the number of designs to be used for sewing for a length that is closest to a desired sewing length, based on the desired sewing length and information regarding the designs. The embroidery sewing machine calculates the sewing length based on the calculated number of designs and the information regarding the designs. Furthermore, the embroidery sewing machine adjusts the length of each design such that the calculated sewing length matches the desired sewing length, and converts the adjusted data of the designs into embroidery data. This enables sewing such that the sewing start and end points match each other or junction matching is secured, even in a case of sewing in the form of various kinds of combinations of curves and lines or the like. In addition, this provides an embroidery sewing machine that is capable of executing sewing with an improved appearance.

An embroidery frame transport device includes a carriage, a guide portion, a rotation shaft, and a lock release lever including a first restricting portion and a contact portion. The lock release lever is configured to rotate to a first position and a second position around the rotation shaft. The first restricting portion contacts the coupling portion to restrict an embroidery frame from moving in a removing direction by moving to the first position when the embroidery frame is moved in a mounting direction in a process of mounting the coupling portion on the carriage. The contact portion contacts the coupling portion and presses the embroidery frame in the removing direction as a result of the lock release lever moving to a third position when the lock release lever is rotated in a releasing direction while the coupling portion is mounted on the carriage.

An embroidery frame transport device includes a carriage, a guide portion, a rotation shaft, and a lock release lever including a first restricting portion and a contact portion. The lock release lever is configured to rotate to a first position and a second position around the rotation shaft. The first restricting portion contacts the coupling portion to restrict an embroidery frame from moving in a removing direction by moving to the first position when the embroidery frame is moved in a mounting direction in a process of mounting the coupling portion on the carriage. The contact portion contacts the coupling portion and presses the embroidery frame in the removing direction as a result of the lock release lever moving to a third position when the lock release lever is rotated in a releasing direction while the coupling portion is mounted on the carriage.

A decoration pattern data generating apparatus includes: a controller, the controller being configured to control the decoration pattern data generating apparatus to select an embroidery pattern to be sewn, specify an outline of the embroidery pattern, based on embroidery pattern data for sewing the selected embroidery pattern; set an area outside the specified outline, as a decoration area; and generate decoration pattern data for sewing a decoration pattern in the set decoration area.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores computer-readable instructions. The instructions, when executed, cause a processor of a sewing data generation device configured to generate sewing data to perform processes. The processes include acquiring pattern data to sew an embroidery pattern. The processes further include setting an outline having an offset portion and a complementary portion on the basis of the pattern data. The outline is a single line surrounding the outside of a contour of the embroidery pattern. The offset portion is a part of the single line and is offset from the contour toward the outside of the embroidery pattern by a predetermined amount. The complementary portion is another part of the single line and being offset from the contour toward the outside of the embroidery pattern by an amount larger than the predetermined amount. The processes also include generating sewing data to sew the outline.

A sewing data generating unit acquires embroidery frame information and a mark alignment region displayed on a display unit for guiding multiple marks that define an embroidery region of the embroidery frame. When the marks are all positioned within the mark alignment region displayed on the display unit, the sewing data generating apparatus acquires an image of the embroidery frame and a sewing target mounted on a base cloth mounted on the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus performs image analysis based on a correspondence between the acquired information with respect to the embroidery frame and the marks in the acquired image, so as to determine the embroidery region of the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus generates outline data for the sewing target based on the determined embroidery region. This allows an applique to be sewn at an accurate position without a need to prepare dedicated data.

A sewing data generating unit acquires embroidery frame information and a mark alignment region displayed on a display unit for guiding multiple marks that define an embroidery region of the embroidery frame. When the marks are all positioned within the mark alignment region displayed on the display unit, the sewing data generating apparatus acquires an image of the embroidery frame and a sewing target mounted on a base cloth mounted on the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus performs image analysis based on a correspondence between the acquired information with respect to the embroidery frame and the marks in the acquired image, so as to determine the embroidery region of the embroidery frame. The sewing data generating apparatus generates outline data for the sewing target based on the determined embroidery region. This allows an applique to be sewn at an accurate position without a need to prepare dedicated data.

A method for embroidering endless strips using an embroidery machine includes the following steps: Feeding a strip section of at least one upper strip to an embroidery area of an embroidery frame; introducing embroidery using at least one embroidery head onto the strip section of the upper strip within the embroidery area of the embroidery frame; feeding at least one lower strip to the embroidery area of the embroidery frame, which is placed below the upper strip; producing at least one connecting seam between the upper strip and the lower strip in a plane of the embroidery frame; and removing the finished strip comprising the embroidered strip and the lower strip sewn thereto.

A method for embroidering endless strips using an embroidery machine includes the following steps: Feeding a strip section of at least one upper strip to an embroidery area of an embroidery frame; introducing embroidery using at least one embroidery head onto the strip section of the upper strip within the embroidery area of the embroidery frame; feeding at least one lower strip to the embroidery area of the embroidery frame, which is placed below the upper strip; producing at least one connecting seam between the upper strip and the lower strip in a plane of the embroidery frame; and removing the finished strip comprising the embroidered strip and the lower strip sewn thereto.