Hem sewing system

Abstract

A dual plate mount system with adjustment brackets, a hook, and fabric spaces is used to improve hem sewing speed and consistency. The target fabric is threaded around and through the hook end and loop, the apparatus adjusting to the desired width and overhang. The apparatus can be used in connection with a sewing machine or manually. The apparatus aligns the fabric hem that is pushed or pulled through toward the sewing machine needle plate.

Claims

1. A method of implementing a dual-plate apparatus comprising a top plate removably coupled to a corresponding bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate has a curved end, and the top plate has a curved end that cradles the bottom plate curved end, and wherein the bottom plate has a hook with a hook loop and a hook end, and wherein the top plate and the bottom plate are substantially similar in width, and wherein the bottom plate comprises a right adjustment bracket having a rectangle shape and having two fasteners arranged horizontally in the right adjustment bracket and a left adjustment bracket having a rectangle shape and having two fasteners arranged horizontally in the left adjustment bracket, the method steps comprising a. selecting fabric; b. threading the fabric through the hook of the bottom plate and around the hook loop to create a fold with a fabric overhang having a fabric edge; c. placing the top plate over the bottom plate by inserting the bottom plate curved end into a center space of a top plate open end to where the top plate curved end cradles the hook; d. pulling the fabric overhang through the center space; e. placing the apparatus with fabric on one side of a sewing machine having a needle, thread, and needle plate, and where the apparatus is not mounted to the sewing machine; f. placing the pulled overhang over the needle plate to start sewing a seam; and g. activating the sewing machine to sew a seam.

2. The method steps of claim 1 further comprising pulling the fabric with the sewed seam over the needle plate of the sewing machine and through the other side of the sewing machine in a manner parallel to the front of the sewing machine while the apparatus is not mounted to the sewing machine.

3. The method steps of claim 2 further comprising adjusting the width of the center of the apparatus by pulling the top plate curved end away from the hook.

4. The method steps of claim 3 further comprising securing the top plate to the bottom plate by threading a fastener through an aperture of the top plate wherein the top plate has an adjustment bracket and a regulator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, that are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system.

(3) FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system with regulation fasteners.

(4) FIG. 2B shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system with adjustable fasteners.

(5) FIG. 2C shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system with regulation fasteners.

(6) FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system in use.

(7) The following are the numbers represented in the Figures. 1. top plate 3. bottom plate 5. Center 7. Hook 9. Left fabric space 11. Right fabric space 13. Hook end 15. Hook loop 17. Top plate curved end 19. Bottom plate curved end 21. Fastener 22. Regulator 23. Top plate adjustment bracket 25. Bottom plate left adjustment bracket 27. Bottom plate right adjustment bracket 29. Fabric 31. Fabric edge 33. Fabric overhang 35. Sewing apparatus 37. Needle 39. Thread 41. Needle plate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The present disclosure provides generally for a hem sewing system herein referred to as “system.” According to the present disclosure, a system generally comprises at least two plates capable of being overlapped and slid above and below fabric. Fabric is sandwiched between the at least two plates. At least one plate comprises a hook about which a folded fabric edge is wound through. A second or subsequent piece of fabric may be aligned with or sandwiched between the plates with a first piece of fabric to create a busted seam stitch. The fabric edge and overhang lies flat against a surface such as a table or a sewing machine needle plate. The plates may be adjusted inward toward a center or outward from a center to accommodate a variety of desired hem and overhang lengths. A sewing apparatus needle is placed where a seam will be sewn. The sewing apparatus such as a motorized sewing machine and the system remain in place. A person or a separate machine pulls the looped fabric sandwiched between the plates through the plates toward the sewing apparatus needle. A scam or hem is quickly and evenly sewn in a substantially straight line.

(9) Generally, a system is used in connection with fabric and a sewing apparatus such as a powered or manual sewing machine or a sewing needle and thread used by hand. Fabrics include any textile that is capable of being sewn with a needle and thread. Fabrics that may be used comprise sheets of fabrics made of natural, synthetic, or a combination thereof of yarns or materials. Examples of materials include cotton, flax, polyester, nylon, elastane, spandex, silk, linen, jacquard, bamboo, lame, leather, fur, tapestry, twill, velour, sherpa, lace, oxford, broadcloth, denim, jersey, and fleece. Other examples of fabric types include muslin, organza, terry, velvet, tweed, taffeta, sateen, corduroy, woven blends, and knits such as ponte, rib, interlock, and eyelet. The fabric may be used in conjunction with a zipper tape, lining, or trim.

(10) The discreet profile, size, and adjustability of the system makes it versatile for seamstresses, tailors, and for those working in the following industries and applications: fast fashion and high fashion clothing, shoes, and accessories; upholstery; window treatments; bathroom linens; bedroom linens; floor coverings and rugs; performing arts sets and costumes.

(11) The system allows freedom and customizability in creating a seam and hem that works best for the application. For example, a system will not obstruct or hinder a seamstress for sewing seams such as an overlock stitch where the fabric raw edges are connected with interlocking stitches without any extra folds with excess material for the hem. A busted seam can be made with the system apparatus as well.

(12) In the following sections, detailed descriptions of examples and methods of the disclosure will be given. The description of both preferred and alternative examples are exemplary only, and it is understood that to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, and alterations may be apparent. It is therefore to be understood that the examples do not limit the broadness of the aspects of the underlying disclosure as defined by the claims.

(13) Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a plate is shown. In this exemplary embodiment, a system apparatus comprises a top plate coordinated with a bottom plate, a left fabric space, a bottom plate curved end, a center, a hook end, a hook loop, a hook, a right fabric space, a top plate curved end, and a bottom plate. The bottom plate and the top plate may have widths, lengths, and heights that are substantially similar or may vary. For example, widths may be from approximately 2 cm to 20 cm, heights from approximately 0.1 cm to 1 cm, and lengths from approximately 9 cm to 40 cm. The various possible dimensions will depend on the type of fabric and how large or small the fabric overhang is.

(14) In preferred embodiments, the apparatus is sized to fit comfortably in a sewing kit, apron pocket, or tote bag. The apparatus is intended to be portable. However, it is also anticipated some systems may include a sewing machine on a solid surface where the apparatus is integrated in with the solid surface with fasteners or adhesives or where the apparatus is integrated into the sewing machine structure.

(15) The top and bottom plate curved ends are positioned opposite each other about the center. The hook with hook end and hook loop is preferably positioned at or substantially near the center of the apparatus. A user pulls the top plate and bottom plate curved ends away from the center to accommodate larger fabric overhands. The fabric is folded to create an overhang, and a seam is typically sewn at or within a few centimeters from the fold. The overhang is laid over the bottom plate and within the left fabric space and the right fabric space. The fold is held in place and aligned by threading the folded overhang over and through the hook loop and held by the hook end.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 2A, a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system with regulation fasteners is shown. In some embodiments, the system apparatus comprises a plurality of fasteners, a bottom plate left adjustment bracket, a bottom plate, a top plate curved end, a hook, a hook end, a bottom plate, a right fabric space, a bottom plate curved end, a bottom plate right adjustment bracket, a top plate adjustment bracket, a top plate, and a left fabric space.

(17) Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the folded fabric lays over the bottom plate and the center between the top plate curved end and the bottom plate curved end. However, this exemplary embodiment has the addition of adjustment brackets with one bracket on the top plate and two brackets on the bottom plate. The brackets are couple with at least one fastener each. The brackets and fasteners provide a more rigid structure to the apparatus to improve holding the fabric in place. The fasteners may be adjusted. In some embodiments, fasteners on the bottom plate may be used to removably attach the apparatus to a solid surface such as a tabletop. The plates can be adjusted by pulling them away from the center or pushing them toward the center to accommodate various fabric overhang widths.

(18) Referring now to FIG. 2B, a bottom perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system with adjustable fasteners is shown. The apparatus bottom plate shows the bottom view of the bottom plate left adjustment bracket, the bottom plate right adjustment bracket, and the top plate adjustment bracket with the corresponding fasteners. The fastener from the top plate adjustment bracket is threaded through the regulator shown in FIG. 2C and to the bottom plate to aid with alignment of the top plate over the bottom plate.

(19) Referring now to FIG. 2C, a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system with regulation fasteners is shown. This exemplary embodiment shows the adjustment brackets with fasteners. The center with left and right fabric spaces is more visible and shows the hook with the hook loop and hook end from the bottom plate. The fabric may be loaded and threaded around and through the loop to create a fold or crease before or after placing the top plate in position. The top plate may be held in place by threading a fastener through the top plate adjustment bracket that contains an aperture and a regulator. The regulator may extend to the bottom curve of the top plate or may extend only to the top of the curved end of the bottom plate.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 3, a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a hem sewing system in use. A piece of fabric, typically long yards of fabric are folded to create an overhang with a fabric edge. A seam is sewn between the fold and the edge of the overhang. In this exemplary embodiment, the portable system apparatus is threaded with the folded fabric and through the hook loop and held in place at the hook end. The apparatus is placed on one side of a sewing apparatus having a needle and threat and a needle plate.

(21) The folded fabric overhang is pulled through the apparatus center toward the needle plate to start the hem. The hemmed fabric is pulled parallel to the front of the sewing machine, through the apparatus center and left and right fabric spaces, over the needle plate and under the needle, and to the other side of the sewing machine.

(22) The end result is a substantially uniform and consistent seam and hem with fabric overhang. During product testing, the length of hem sewn decreased from approximately 20 to 60 percent of the time it would take if the same seam were sewn without the system apparatus.

(23) Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed disclosure.