The sewing machine is configured to prevent a string-shaped material from catching on a nearby component part thereof. A guide member for guiding the string-shaped material toward a sewing position reciprocates in a lateral direction to sew the string-shaped material to a sewing workpiece through zigzag stitching. A restriction member is disposed close to the guide member and has a laterally elongated section having a length corresponding to a range of reciprocation of the guide member. The string-shaped material extending from the guide member to the sewing position is positioned to be located beneath the laterally elongated section of the restriction member. With the presence of the laterally elongated section, when the guide member reciprocates, the string-shaped material being swung left and right by the guide member is reliably positioned (restricted) beneath the laterally elongated section. The restriction member may function as a presser foot too.

The sewing machine is configured to prevent a string-shaped material from catching on a nearby component part thereof. A guide member for guiding the string-shaped material toward a sewing position reciprocates in a lateral direction to sew the string-shaped material to a sewing workpiece through zigzag stitching. A restriction member is disposed close to the guide member and has a laterally elongated section having a length corresponding to a range of reciprocation of the guide member. The string-shaped material extending from the guide member to the sewing position is positioned to be located beneath the laterally elongated section of the restriction member. With the presence of the laterally elongated section, when the guide member reciprocates, the string-shaped material being swung left and right by the guide member is reliably positioned (restricted) beneath the laterally elongated section. The restriction member may function as a presser foot too.

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 presser foot vertical drive device includes an upper shaft configured to vertically drive a needle, a presser foot drive cam fixed to the upper shaft, a presser foot urged downward over a needle plate, a cam follower configured to be vertically driven in contact with the presser foot drive cam, and a link configured to transmit the vertical drive of the cam follower to the presser foot. The presser foot drive cam includes a plurality of drive cams having cam surfaces for different presser foot vertical drive patterns. The cam follower includes a switching unit for selection of one drive cam from the presser foot drive cam.

An independent presser foot drive mechanism and an embroidery machine includes a machine head, a needle bar drive mechanism mounted on the machine head, a needle bar drive block provided on a corresponding guide rod and movable up and down. The presser foot drive block further includes a presser foot drive motor that independently drives a presser foot, and a presser foot link assembly that connects the presser foot drive motor with the presser foot drive block to complete driving of the presser foot. The presser foot can be independently driven to move by providing the independent presser foot drive motor and the presser foot link assembly. According to corresponding embroidery processes, the presser foot can independently complete more complicated actions under the driving of the drive motor.

An independent presser foot drive mechanism and an embroidery machine includes a machine head, a needle bar drive mechanism mounted on the machine head, a needle bar drive block provided on a corresponding guide rod and movable up and down. The presser foot drive block further includes a presser foot drive motor that independently drives a presser foot, and a presser foot link assembly that connects the presser foot drive motor with the presser foot drive block to complete driving of the presser foot. The presser foot can be independently driven to move by providing the independent presser foot drive motor and the presser foot link assembly. According to corresponding embroidery processes, the presser foot can independently complete more complicated actions under the driving of the drive motor.

An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.

An article comprised of tape segments embroidered in place is disclosed. One embodiment includes tape segments embroidered to a self-supporting embroidered structure. Another embodiment includes tape segments embroidered together to form an embroidered lattice structure. In one embodiment, some of the tape segments may expand when exposed to heat and may be used to form cushioning regions for the article.

An apparatus and method for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration is provided. A head for applying stitches to a decorative component having a three dimensional configuration, including: 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; 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, the post assembly being operatively coupled to the head via a cylinder arm assembly and a downshaft assembly; and wherein the cylinder arm assembly is rotated in a synchronized manner with a rock frame through mechanical linkage connecting a rock frame drive shaft to the cylinder arm assembly.