A sewing machine includes: a needle vertical movement mechanism which moves a sewing needle; a moving mechanism which holds a workpiece by a holding frame; an inner presser-foot device which moves an inner presser foot on an upper side of the workpiece held by the holding frame; a control device which controls the moving mechanism based on sewing data in which stitch positions are defined in order in a series of sewing; and a height detector which detects a height of the inner presser foot. The control device lowers the inner presser foot to an upper surface of the workpiece held by the holding frame, detects the height of the inner presser foot by the height detector, and determines suitability of a thickness of the workpiece, at one or plural stitch positions defined in the sewing data before starting the sewing in accordance with the sewing data.

A sewing machine includes an upper feed mechanism, a presser foot mechanism and a control device. The upper feed mechanism feeds a workpiece on a throat plate from above by an upper feed dog. The presser foot mechanism includes a presser foot for pressing the workpiece on the throat plate from above. The control device controls a driving source of the presser foot mechanism. The upper feed mechanism supports the upper feed dog to be vertically movable between an upper retreat position and a lower feed position. The upper feed mechanism includes a detection unit that detects a downward movement of the upper feed dog from the retreat position. The control device controls the driving source to pull the presser foot upward by a detection of the detection unit.

A sewing machine includes an upper feed mechanism, a presser foot mechanism and a control device. The upper feed mechanism feeds a workpiece on a throat plate from above by an upper feed dog. The presser foot mechanism includes a presser foot for pressing the workpiece on the throat plate from above. The control device controls a driving source of the presser foot mechanism. The upper feed mechanism supports the upper feed dog to be vertically movable between an upper retreat position and a lower feed position. The upper feed mechanism includes a detection unit that detects a downward movement of the upper feed dog from the retreat position. The control device controls the driving source to pull the presser foot upward by a detection of the detection unit.

A sewing machine includes: a needle vertical movement mechanism which moves a sewing needle; a moving mechanism which holds a workpiece by a holding frame; an inner presser-foot device which moves an inner presser foot on an upper side of the workpiece held by the holding frame; a control device which controls the moving mechanism based on sewing data in which stitch positions are defined in order in a series of sewing; and a height detector which detects a height of the inner presser foot. The control device lowers the inner presser foot to an upper surface of the workpiece held by the holding frame, detects the height of the inner presser foot by the height detector, and determines suitability of a thickness of the workpiece, at one or plural stitch positions defined in the sewing data before starting the sewing in accordance with the sewing data.

A sewing machine includes: a needle vertical movement mechanism which moves a sewing needle; a moving mechanism which holds a workpiece by a holding frame; an inner presser-foot device which moves an inner presser foot on an upper side of the workpiece held by the holding frame; a control device which controls the moving mechanism based on sewing data in which stitch positions are defined in order in a series of sewing; and a height detector which detects a height of the inner presser foot. The control device lowers the inner presser foot to an upper surface of the workpiece held by the holding frame, detects the height of the inner presser foot by the height detector, and determines suitability of a thickness of the workpiece, at one or plural stitch positions defined in the sewing data before starting the sewing in accordance with the sewing data.

A sewing machine includes an upper feed mechanism, a presser foot mechanism and a control device. The upper feed mechanism feeds a workpiece on a throat plate from above by an upper feed dog. The presser foot mechanism includes a presser foot for pressing the workpiece on the throat plate from above. The control device controls a driving source of the presser foot mechanism. The upper feed mechanism supports the upper feed dog to be vertically movable between an upper retreat position and a lower feed position. The upper feed mechanism includes a detection unit that detects a downward movement of the upper feed dog from the retreat position. The control device controls the driving source to pull the presser foot upward by a detection of the detection unit.

A sewing machine includes an upper feed mechanism, a presser foot mechanism and a control device. The upper feed mechanism feeds a workpiece on a throat plate from above by an upper feed dog. The presser foot mechanism includes a presser foot for pressing the workpiece on the throat plate from above. The control device controls a driving source of the presser foot mechanism. The upper feed mechanism supports the upper feed dog to be vertically movable between an upper retreat position and a lower feed position. The upper feed mechanism includes a detection unit that detects a downward movement of the upper feed dog from the retreat position. The control device controls the driving source to pull the presser foot upward by a detection of the detection unit.

A kit for adding or replacing an automated upper walking foot stepping height adjustment to a sewing machine, the kit includes a mounting assembly including an actuator bracket, an actuator coupled to the actuator bracket, a drive assembly, and a needle drive assembly. The actuator includes an actuator shaft that extends and retracts. The drive assembly includes a drive shaft, a drive arm coupled to the drive shaft and the actuator shaft, and a guide coupled to the drive shaft. The needle drive assembly includes a variable drive crank coupled to the guide and configured to couple to a needle drive shaft of a sewing machine. Selectively extending and retracting the actuator shaft selectively adjusts a stepping height of an upper walking foot.

An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is provided, the inflatable cushion having a first portion of material; a second portion of material, the first portion of material being secured to the second portion of material to define the inflatable cushion; wherein at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the inflatable cushion is defined by a seam wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and wherein a strip of a third portion of material is applied to the seam of an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion when the plurality of stitches are applied.

An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is provided, the inflatable cushion having a first portion of material; a second portion of material, the first portion of material being secured to the second portion of material to define the inflatable cushion; wherein at least a portion of a peripheral edge of the inflatable cushion is defined by a seam wherein an inner surface of the first portion is secured to an inner surface of the second portion only by a plurality of stitches; and wherein a strip of a third portion of material is applied to the seam of an outer surface of either the first portion or the second portion when the plurality of stitches are applied.