A needle bar case has a plurality of needle bars. As a main shaft is rotated by a main shaft motor (first drive source), the needle bars are driven in an up-down direction so that a sewing operation is carried out in a conventionally-known manner. Ascending/descending bars are supported on the needle bar case in corresponding relation to the needle bars, and each of the ascending/descending bars is driven in the up-down direction by a motor (second drive source). A cord guide member for guiding a cord material onto a workpiece is mounted to the lower end of any of the ascending/descending bars, in place of a conventional presser foot. Cord sewing or loop sewing of cord material can be performed selectively by changing an ascending/descending stroke of the ascending/descending bar. Thus, cord sewing and loop sewing of the chord material can be performed selectively with a simple construction.

A needle bar case has a plurality of needle bars. As a main shaft is rotated by a main shaft motor (first drive source), the needle bars are driven in an up-down direction so that a sewing operation is carried out in a conventionally-known manner. Ascending/descending bars are supported on the needle bar case in corresponding relation to the needle bars, and each of the ascending/descending bars is driven in the up-down direction by a motor (second drive source). A cord guide member for guiding a cord material onto a workpiece is mounted to the lower end of any of the ascending/descending bars, in place of a conventional presser foot. Cord sewing or loop sewing of cord material can be performed selectively by changing an ascending/descending stroke of the ascending/descending bar. Thus, cord sewing and loop sewing of the chord material can be performed selectively with a simple construction.

Systems and methods for interactive textiles including conductive fibers are provided. An interactive textile may comprise a flexible substrate, an embroidered thread-pattern defining an ornamental feature on a first surface of the flexible substrate, and a touch input sensor comprising a set of conductive threads coupled to a second surface of the flexible substrate at a corresponding area of at least a portion of the embroidered thread pattern. The set of conductive threads form a conductive thread-pattern on the second surface that is conformal to the ornamental feature on the first surface at the portion of the embroidered thread pattern.

An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes. Between nodes portions of ribbon act like links joining the nodes. The links can be arranged in various geometries, including a rectangular grid and a triaxial grid. The ribbon structure may extend the entire length of the article of footwear, and may extend through a forefoot, midfoot and heel.

A method of making an article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The method includes laying down ribbon elements in straight and winding sections. The method includes stitching or otherwise attaching the ribbon elements to a backing layer. The method also includes embroidering a periphery of the ribbon structure to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery. The method also includes inserting a lace through loops in the ribbon structure.

A method of making an article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The method includes laying down ribbon elements in straight and winding sections. The method includes stitching or otherwise attaching the ribbon elements to a backing layer. The method also includes embroidering a periphery of the ribbon structure to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery. The method also includes inserting a lace through loops in the ribbon structure.

An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes that may move substantially independently of other nodes. The ribbon structure can provide strength along one of the directions and may simultaneously remain slack in the other direction.

A method of making an article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The method includes laying down ribbon elements in straight and winding sections. The method includes stitching or otherwise attaching the ribbon elements to a backing layer. The method also includes embroidering a periphery of the ribbon structure to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery. The method also includes inserting a lace through loops in the ribbon structure.

A method of making an article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The method includes laying down ribbon elements in straight and winding sections. The method includes stitching or otherwise attaching the ribbon elements to a backing layer. The method also includes embroidering a periphery of the ribbon structure to tack down any raised portions of the ribbon at the periphery. The method also includes inserting a lace through loops in the ribbon structure.

An article of footwear with an upper including a ribbon structure is disclosed. The ribbon structure comprises ribbon sections running in at least two different directions. Ribbon sections are connected at nodes. Between nodes portions of ribbon act like links joining the nodes. The links can be arranged in various geometries, including a rectangular grid and a triaxial grid. The ribbon structure may extend the entire length of the article of footwear, and may extend through a forefoot, midfoot and heel.