APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEWING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/937,240 filed June 26, 2007; 60/967,479 filed September 5, 2007 and 60/967,845 filed September 8, 2007, all of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] Much sewing today is done with machines. However, sewing by hand is still a handicraft practiced by many people. The present invention relates to novel apparatus, systems and methods for sewing crafts and repairing fabric and textile materials by hand in an easier, faster and better way.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] Although most sewing is performed with sewing machines, sewing by hand is still practiced by a variety of people. For example, there are people who create and repair cloth articles but who cannot afford to purchase a sewing machine. There are also people who simply prefer to sew by hand and/or do not know how to sew with a machine. There are hobbyists who specialize in hand-sewn handicrafts and upholstery repair professionals who at times must sew by hand either because of space constraints or because of specific job requirements that make sewing with a machine impossible. Sewing by hand is commonly performed in frugal living societies in which sewing machines are not available, and clothing is handed-down and repaired. Some students and young professionals without access to sewing machines and with no training

on sewing machine use and limited budgets, repair articles of clothing by hand. Sewing by hand is practiced by some elderly people for whom sewing has been a life-long activity. [004] Sewing cloth materials by hand customarily involves using one hand to hold and display the material being sewn, and using the other hand to place stitches with a threaded needle. Depending on the skill and coordination of the person doing the sewing, visualization of the area being sewn may be difficult, and precise sewing may not be possible. Even routine repairs using conventional manual sewing techniques may require considerable skill and time to accomplish. Additional challenges of sewing by hand include: grasping small areas of material securely without one hand which obstructs the view of the area being sewn and sewing in small spaces when the area being worked on cannot be moved. In addition, threading a needle and maintaining the thread in the eye of the needle may be difficult for some people depending on their vision, steadiness, and coordination. Age-associated physical limitations such as impaired vision or unsteady hands may make sewing by hand with standard methods very difficult. [005] Embroidery hoops for spreading out and stretching material have also been used for years. Such hoops can be used with sewing machines and also when the sewing is performed by hand. When sewing is performed by hand, the material to be sewn is placed over a first circular hoop and a second circular hoop is placed on top of the first to spread the material. However, such embroidery hoops are not versatile and do not permit the sewing of material of various shapes, thickness and sizes, such as tubular articles of clothing, textile materials, quilts, upholstery, ornaments, stuffed toys, etc.

[006] In the case of repairing tears or holes in clothing or upholstery, there is the challenge of holding the material in such a way that the edges and contour of the tear or hole are properly seen so that the repair can be accomplished. There is also the issue of how to fill a hole. Darning,

or filling a hole with woven stitching, is a well-known method of repairing holes in clothing, but requires considerable skill and time. In the case of darning a sock, an object placed inside the sock such as a light bulb has been used to display the area of the hole. U.S. Patent 2,775,380 discloses a sewing kit including needles, thread, thimble, pins, and small scissors that function as a darner ball. This kit is designed for "sewing outfits or the like" by using the darner ball to spread an article such as a sock or stocking. However, according to this patent, the darner ball must be held with one hand, leaving only one hand free to sew. Further, the darner ball is not versatile and can not easily be used to sew or repair large articles or thick articles. [007] In some cases, the placement of a patch to repair a hole in a cloth article is potentially an easier and faster method of repairing the hole than darning. However, sewing a patch is time consuming and patches are not always sightly.

[008] Techniques to address the challenges of sewing by hand have been developed over many years by surgeons for clinical surgery. Using solid or hollow shapes referred to as "stents" is a surgical technique used to display tissue being sewn and to facilitate precise placement of stitches. Numerous patents and published patent applications disclose stents for medical uses such as opening and maintaining the patency of arteries. There are also numerous patents that describe the use of stents for heart valve surgery. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0195620 discloses methods of manufacturing heart valves that include use of a stent to support the heart valve to facilitate its manufacture and later implantation by sewing. However, none of these disclosures relate to sewing crafts and repairing fabric by hand. [009] To facilitate sewing, kits are also available that provide needles with eyes that are pre-threaded. U.S. Patent No. 4,782,954 discloses a mending kit consisting of individual thread and needle units having pre-threaded needles. A similar portable sewing kit with pre-threaded

needles is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,392,261. These needles are advantageous in that the threading is done for the person sewing, which may be particularly advantageous for people who have unsteady hands or impaired vision or coordination. However, pre-threading does not prevent the thread from coming out of the eye of the needle during sewing, possibly requiring rethreading of the needle. Also, the threaded end of standard threaded needles is twice as thick as the rest of the needle and thread and is therefore sometimes difficult to pass through the fabric being sewn and may even damage the fabric when forced through because of it's increased thickness.

[010] A button reattachment kit is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,823,948 that includes a non-metal needle with thread glued to it. However, this kit is limited to button reattachment and does not disclose metal needles. Non-metal needles do not work well in applications involving thick fabric. Metal needles with pre-attached thread are available for stringing beads, but have not been adapted to sewing fabric.

[Oil] For many years needles with swaged-on sutures have been the standard in clinical surgery. A suture is a strand or fiber used in surgery to sew parts of the living body. The type of material and the diameter of the suture strand or fiber vary based on the intended use. Needles with swaged-on sutures are efficient in that the needle does not need to be threaded. Further, because the suture is swaged on, it cannot become detached from the needle as might be the case when a suture is simply threaded through the eye of a needle. The use of curved needles, in contrast to straight needles, with swaged-on sutures is particularly advantageous when the space where the sewing is taking place is small and difficult to reach. The excursion of curved needles during stitching is smaller than with straight needles, and accordingly, less space is needed to do

the sewing. In surgical settings, curved needles with swaged-on sutures are generally maneuvered by metal instruments, such as needle holders and pincers.

[012] Numerous patents disclose instruments and sewing devices to accomplish precise sewing in surgical settings. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,389,103 discloses a surgical stitching apparatus for endoscopic surgery. U.S. Patent No. 5,735,862 discloses a hand operated semiautomatic suturing and sewing device in which a needle is transferred back and forth between two needle holders for suturing and sewing operations. Actuation of the needle gripping jaws of the needle holders is power driven. However, none of these patents disclose the use of needle holders or pincers for sewing crafts and repairing fabrics.

[013] Eyeless needles with swaged on sutures employed in clinical surgery are used during the operation of a single patient and then discarded. Packaging of such eyeless needles is therefore designed for single use. Several eyeless needles with swaged-on sutures may be necessary during the operation of a single patient and accordingly packaging with several needles with pre-attached sutures is available. U.S. Patent No. 5,871,089 discloses a multithread package for surgical sewing. This package is designed for use during one procedure and is not adapted for sewing fabric, where thread can be used until it is too short for effective stitching. [014] There are several situations where the use of needles with swaged-on thread would be particularly advantageous to sew fabric or cloth. One such situation is when sewing delicate materials such as hosiery or fine silk. In this type of situation, a very fine thread and very small diameter needle are needed to avoid damaging the fabric. Such a fine needle that has an eye is difficult to thread and the very fine thread makes this task especially challenging. [015] Another situation where eyeless needles with pre-attached or swaged-on thread would be advantageous is when sewing heavy fabric such as leather or upholstery fabric. The loop of

thread passing through the eye of the needle must pass through the hole created by the needle, which creates considerable resistance. One solution is to use a needle with grooves for the doubled loop of thread, which reduces the profile of the threaded needle. Another solution commonly used is to create a large enough hole with the use of an awl to allow the passage of the doubled thread. However, such solutions are double the work and also increase material expense. [016] In upholstery repair, use of curved eyeless needles with swaged-on thread would be advantageous for sewing when working in small spaces. A curved needle courses through a smaller space and can easily be maneuvered with a needle holder and retrieved by pincers or the needle holder. As a result, sewing can be more efficient, precise and faster. [017] Therefore, there is a need to provide a means for sewing fabric and repairing upholstery by hand using an apparatus to support the fabric such that the fabric is easily viewed. The apparatus of the present invention spreads the fabric out over a hands-free solid planar surface of various shapes and sizes. The fabric is then sewn, preferably using a needle with pre- attached thread with the aid of pincers and a needle holder. There is also a need to provide both straight and curved eyeless needles with pre-attached, e.g., swaged-on, thread to create and repair cloth materials. The eyeless needles with pre-attached thread according to the present invention are useful for people with unsteady hands or impaired vision or coordination and may be made of metal or plastic. Further, as thread may be used until too short to sew, a package that holds previously used eyeless needles with pre-attached thread is useful to keep the needles and thread separated without tangling so they can be easily retrieved for additional sewing. [018] It is therefore an object of the present invention is to make sewing by hand easier, faster, and more precise by providing a method using both hands, similar to surgical suturing techniques.

[019] It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for supporting fabric comprising a planar surface that is used to optimize visualization and to stabilize the fabric while keeping both hands free to make sewing crafts and repairing cloth materials easier, faster, and more precise. The apparatus permits the work area of the fabric to be spread out and stabilized on the apparatus, the apparatus itself being stabilized with a holding device or held in place by its surroundings. The planar surfaces of the present invention may vary in shape and size and can be used for various projects such as creating and repairing articles of clothing, art, quilts, ornaments, and stuffed toys and for repairing upholstery.

[020] It is another object of the present invention for the apparatus to be stabilized by attaching the apparatus to the edge of a desk or table by means of a clamp, preferably a spring clamp. According to a preferred embodiment the apparatus is connected to the clamp by means of a flexible arm to allow the user to adjust the position of the sewing area to a visible and comfortable location.

[021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose handicraft table that provides a planar surface to stabilize the area being sewn, which can be placed on a desk or table or held in one's lap. With both hands free, sewing tools such as pincers and needle holders can be used to facilitate and expedite the sewing process.

[022] It is a further object of the present invention to utilize pincers for sewing fabrics or upholstery to optimize exposure of the areas being sewn and to facilitate sewing. According to a preferred embodiment, such pincers can be made of plastic or metal. The use of pincers according to the present invention, permit even small areas of material to be accurately and securely grasped without a hand obstructing the view. The pincers can also be used to pick up the sewing needle after it is passed through the material. This reduces the likelihood of needle sticks

and potentially speeds up the sewing. Use of pincers according to the present invention can also make tying knots easier. According to a preferred embodiment, the pincers comprise positioning structures to facilitate proper holding of the pincers to provide optimal balance of the pincers. The positioning structures are designed to fit against the back of the hand between the base of the thumb and the base of the index finger. According to a preferred embedment, pincers may be designed specifically for both left handed and right handed users.

[023] It is a further object of the present invention to use needle holders for sewing and to include needle holders in a kit. According to the present invention, needle holders are particularly useful when sewing with curved needles. According to the present invention, the needle holders are designed to fit the contours of the hand and to be held with a natural grip so that learning to use them properly is easy. Preferably, the needle holders according to the present invention are designed with a catch mechanism, which locks and unlocks with simple squeezes of the hand rather than a twisting motion. The needle holders according to the present invention may be made of metal or plastic. The needle holder of the present invention is designed so that the hand can be positioned above or below the needle holder. Positioning of the hand below the needle holder facilitates sewing delicate articles such as art pieces, quilts, ornaments, and stuffed toys.

[024] It is a further object of the present invention to apply the use of straight and curved eyeless needles with pre-attached thread to sewing projects. Use of such needles according to the present invention, eliminates the need for threading needles, eliminates the problem of thread coming out of a needle eye during use, and provides for the smoother, less traumatic passage of the needle and thread through the fabric. In addition, the use of curved needles with pre-attached thread, preferably swaged-on thread, is particularly suited for sewing in limited spaces and for

use with needle holders and sewing pincers. Sewing in limited spaces can typically occur in repairs of upholstery or in the creation or repair of ornaments and stuffed toys.

[025] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means to store eyeless needles with pre-attached thread for reuse until the thread is too short for effective stitching. A spool card according to the present invention is useful to keep the needles and threads separated without tangling so they can be easily retrieved for additional sewing.

[026] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide kits containing various sewing components to accomplish a variety of sewing projects. The kit may optionally contain an instructional guide that describes the method of two-handed sewing according to the present invention.

[027] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system of repairing tears and holes in fabrics, re-attaching buttons, repairing upholstery, and creating and repairing handcrafted articles such as quilts, ornaments, and stuffed toys. The method and system according to the present invention is simple and designed to be easily learned by first time users.

[028] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described further hereinafter.

[029] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried

out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[030] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may be readily utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, are included in the present invention.

[031] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the aims attained by its uses, references should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[032] Fig. IA is a schematic showing a perspective view of a preferred embodiment comprising an apparatus for supporting and displaying a tubular cloth article on a round planar surface

[033] Fig. IB is a perspective view of a tubular cloth article positioned on the round planar surface shown in Fig. IA being repaired.

[034] Fig. 2A is a schematic showing a perspective view of a single-leaf planar surface affixed to a base that is mounted on a flexible arm.

[035] Fig. 2B is a schematic showing a perspective view of the single-leaf planar surface of

Fig. 2A with retaining clips, mounted on a surface.

[036] Fig. 3 A is a schematic showing a perspective view of a hinged bi-leaf planar surface, which permits easy viewing of both sides of the work area.

[037] Fig. 3B is a schematic showing a perspective view of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface of Fig. 3 A with the leaves lifted or rotated up.

[038] Fig. 4 is a schematic of a perspective view of a surfboard-shaped planar surface.

[039] Fig. 5 A is a schematic showing a perspective view of a handicraft table that functions as a multipurpose planar surface.

[040] Fig. 5B is a schematic showing a perspective view of the handicraft table of Fig. 5 A with the removable holding straps removed and a post of the round planar surface affixed into position.

[041] Fig. 5C is a schematic showing a side view of the central portion of the handicraft table with the post of the round planar surface passing through a circular opening in the top of the handicraft table and screwed into position.

[042] Fig. 6 is a schematic showing a perspective view of a pair of sewing pincers with a supporting structure at the base of the handle to facilitate proper holding of the pincers.

[043] Fig. 7 is a schematic showing a top view of a pair of sewing pincers designed for right handed users to be held in the left hand.

[044] Fig. 8A is a schematic showing a top view of a straight eyeless needle with pre- attached thread.

[045] Fig. 8B is a schematic showing a top view of a conventional straight sewing needle threaded through its eye.

[046] Fig. 9 is a schematic showing a top view of a curved eyeless needle with pre-attached thread.

[047] Fig. 10 is a schematic showing a top view of a needle holder with a curved pre- attached needle in its jaws, wherein the needle holder is preferably held with the hand positioned above the needle holder.

[048] Fig. 11 is a schematic showing a perspective view of a needle holder designed to be held either with the hand positioned below or above the needle holder.

[049] Fig. 12 is a schematic showing a perspective view of a Spool Card for holding an eyeless needle and swaged on thread.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[050] Although most sewing today is done with machines, sewing by hand is still a handicraft practiced by many people. The present invention relate to a method of sewing by hand that is easier, faster, and more precise than conventional sewing methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system of sewing by hand comprising: (1) the use of a planar surfaces to spread and secure the fabric as necessary to achieve optimal visualization and stabilization of the fabric being worked on; (2) the use of an apparatus to support the planar surfaces and hold the fabric so that both hands are free for sewing; (3) the use of eyeless needless with pre-attached thread and sewing tools including pincers and needle holders, and (4) the use of both hands to accomplish precise and rapid sewing with ease. [051] According to a preferred embodiment, the handles of the sewing tools are ergonomic and the mechanisms are simple to facilitate sewing without having to train to use the tools. The sewing tools may be made of rigid or flexible plastic or metal.

[052] The present invention applies to a variety of sewing tasks. Kits according to the present invention may include planar surfaces of different sizes and shapes, sewing tools, eyeless

needles, and instructional guides. The instructional guides demonstrate use of the components of the kits and methods of sewing according to the present invention, including repairing articles of clothing, repairing upholstery, and creating or repairing handcrafted articles such as quilts, ornaments, and stuffed toys.

[053] The planar surfaces of the present invention generally provide adequate working space and exposure of the area of fabric being worked on and stabilize the area. Planar surfaces of different materials, shapes, and sizes can also be used in this system and may have advantages for sewing articles of various shapes and sizes. The handicraft table of the present invention functions as a multipurpose planar surface that can be of various sizes and made of various materials. It is important to note that not all the components of the kits, such as the pincers, needle holders and eyeless needles, are absolutely necessary for sewing with the planar surfaces of the present invention. However, omission of some of the components may reduce the precision and ease of the sewing. It is important that the user have an adequate source of light to illuminate the area being sewn.

[054] Fig. IA shows an apparatus for supporting and displaying a tubular cloth article on a round planar surface 104. The apparatus may be used for repairing tears and holes in tubular articles such as stockings or socks. The round planar surface 104 is affixed to a sleeve or post 105. According to a preferred embodiment, the round planar surface 104 and the post 105 are made of plastic. The post 105 is mounted on a flexible "gooseneck" arm 103. The holder has a clamp 102, preferably a non-traumatic spring clamp or other type of clamp or vise, which secured the apparatus to the edge 101 of a table or desk 100. According to a preferred embodiment, the jaws of clamp 102 are preferably about 7.5 cm x 2.5 cm. Other embodiments include the use of a weighted base instead of a clamp to secure the apparatus. The apparatus

preferably includes a flexible "gooseneck" arm 103 that can bend in multiple directions to allow the user to position the planar surface 104 in a position that is most comfortable for the user to sew. The length of the flexible "gooseneck" arm 103 is preferably about 17 cm and the outside diameter is about 12 mm. Of course, shorter or longer lengths and different diameters can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. The post 105 slides over the end of the flexible "gooseneck" arm 103 and may be fixed into position with screw 106. For tubular materials, the diameter of the round planar surface 104 is preferably about 4.5 cm and the length of the post 105 is preferably about 7.5 cm. It is important that the fit of the post 105 on the flexible "gooseneck" arm 103 allows rotation of the round planar surface 104 to allow the user to rotate the material being sewn so that the user can continually sew from the same angle. The set screw 106 on the post 105 can be tightened if a fixed position of the planar surface is desired. [055] Fig. IB shows an article of clothing, in this case a sock 107, positioned over the round planar surface 104 of Fig. IA. The sock 107 is preferably turned inside out and the hole 109 being repaired has been spread out over the planar surface 104 for good visualization. The sock 107 is held against the post 105 of the round planar surface 104 with a collar 108 that is positioned a few centimeters below the round planar surface 104. The collar 108 according to a preferred embodiment is made with strips of hook and loop fasteners, however, other types of adjustable collars can be used. The hole 109 is being closed with a patch 110 which is being stitched in place using a straight eyeless needle 111 with pre-attached thread 112, which may be swaged-on, glued or otherwise affixed to the needle. The sock 107 and the round planar surface 104 with its post 105 are rotated together as the sewing is done so that all of the stitches for the patch repair can be placed from the same angle. Sewing pincers 113 are being used to display the edge of the patch 110.

[056] Fig. 2A is a perspective view of a single-leaf planar surface 201 affixed to a base 202, which may be a 3-sided cube, which is mounted by means of a post 105 on a flexible "gooseneck" arm 103. In a preferred embodiment, the single-leaf planar surface 201 is constructed of a 1/16 inch sheet of clear or colored acrylic. Other thicknesses or other materials can of course be used to manufacture the leaf. According to another preferred embodiment, the single-leaf planar surface 201 is rectangular and about 15 cm x 11.5 cm or square and about 12 cm x 12 cm. Other shapes and sizes can be used depending on the articles being sewn. According to a preferred embodiment, the single-leaf planar surface 201 is mounted on an acrylic 3 -sided cube with 5 cm sides. The post 105 is about 8 cm in length and has a circular end with a diameter of about 4.5 cm. The post 105 fits over the flexible "gooseneck" arm 103. A set screw 106 on the side of the post 105 is used to fix the position of the single-leaf planar surface 201 on the flexible arm 103.

[057] Fig. 2B is a perspective view of a single-leaf planar surface 201 mounted on a flexible arm 103 by means of a post 105 with a set screw 106. Clips 204 are shown on the edge of the single-leaf planar surface 201 and are used to hold the material being sewn in position on the single-leaf planar surface 201. The clips 204 are placed over the material along the edges of the single-leaf planar surface 201. The clip 204 handles are folded against the surface of the material to give the clips a low profile, reducing the tendency for the thread to catch on the clips 204. Other types of low-profile clips 204 could be used to secure material to single-leaf planar surface 201.

[058] Fig. 3 A is a perspective view of a hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301, which makes it possible to easily and rapidly view both sides of the work area, particularly when reattaching buttons. The hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301 is preferably made of an acrylic hinge 303 which

is about 15 cm in length and about 1.5 cm wide and from two 1/16 inch plates or leaves 302 of clear acrylic. The rectangular leaves 302 are preferably 8 cm x 6 cm. The hinge 303 allows the working area to flip back and forth so that both sides can be easily visualized. A space of about 2.5 cm between leaves 302 allows for sewing from both sides of the material by direct visualization. Other embodiments of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface301 could have leaves of different shapes and sizes and different spacing between the leaves. The embodiment shown has the present current preference of dimensions for re-attaching buttons. However, other dimensions may be more favorable for other sewing projects. A set screw 106 is used to fix the position of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301 on the flexible "gooseneck" arm 103. [059] Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301 with the leaves 302 flipped upwards about 80 degrees so the underside of the material can be visualized. The variable positioning of the leaves 302 allows direct visualization of the underside of the material being supported. The hinge 303 allows a total 180 degree rotation from the position shown in Fig. 3A. This view shows the hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301 affixed to base 202. A post 105, preferably made of plastic, is mounted to the base 202. The post 105 is preferably about 8cm in length and has a circular end with a diameter of about 4.5 cm. The post 105 fits over the flexible "gooseneck" arm 103. A set screw 106 is used to fix the position of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301 on the flexible arm 103.

[060] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a surfboard-shaped planar surface 401, which is positioned inside an article, such as an upholstered piece of furniture, and is held in place by the surrounding material. The surfboard-shaped planar surface 401 in this embodiment is preferably made of clear acrylic and is about 9.5 cm in length, 1.5 cm in width, and 0.5 cm in thickness. Other shapes, lengths, widths and thicknesses can be employed with this system depending on

the articles being sewn. The leading end of the surfboard-shaped planar surface 402 has a curved taper along both its width and its thickness so that the surfboard-shaped planar surface 401 slides into position easily. According to a preferred embodiment, a cord 403 or chain is attached to the end 404 of the surfboard-shaped planar surface 401 and provides for easy retrieval if the surfboard-shaped planar surface 401 is placed entirely inside the article. The surfboard-shaped planar surface 401 separates the underlying material, such as cushioning material, from the cloth being sewn. This prevents the stitches from snagging the underlying material. Another embodiment of the surfboard-shaped planar surface 401 is having the curved taper at both ends of the planar surface. This embodiment in some circumstances reduces the degree of repositioning of the planar surface when the site of sewing is shifted to the opposite end of a tear. [061] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a handicraft table 500 which functions as a multipurpose planar surface. The table 500 is positioned on a desk or table top or held in the lap of the person sewing. The table top 501 is preferably constructed from 1/16 inch sheet of clear acrylic. The shape of the top 501 according to a preferred embodiment is that of a rectangle, but other shapes, such as shapes with rounded contours, could be employed. The length of the top 501 in this embodiment is about 30 cm and the width is about 18 cm. The base 502 of the handicraft table is preferably made out of an acrylic rectangular shaped base with a length of about 18 cm, a width of about 14 cm, a height of about 3 cm and a wall thickness of 1/8 inch. The base 502 is attached to the top 501 according to a preferred embodiment with strips of hook and loop fasteners. However, other methods of attachment can be used such as glue, or the base and top can be produced as one piece. Removable straps 503, preferably made of strips of hook and loop fasteners, can be used to hold an article such as an ornament or stuffed toy in position. Removable straps 503 are attached to the underside of the table 500 with strips of hook and loop

fasters to facilitate their removal when they are not being used. A flat article such as a quilt can be held in position with clips 204 rather than the straps 503. The materials and dimensions given are for a preferred embodiment, however, other materials, shapes, and dimensions could be used. According to a preferred embodiment, the table 500 has three (3) sets of holding straps 503; however any number of straps 503 may be used to effectively hold whatever is being sewn. As seen in Fig. 5 A, the top 501 may have a circular opening 504 so that the round planar surface 104 can be attached to the table 500. According to a preferred embodiment, the opening 504 is about 2.5 cm in diameter. A collar 505 with internal threads is mounted on the table top 501 in the area surrounding the circular opening 504. The external diameter of the collar 505 with internal threads is preferably about 4 cm with an internal diameter of about 2.0 cm. The collar 505 accepts the threaded post 105 of the round planar surface 104. Other embodiments of the handicraft table 500 include having the post 105 of the round planar surface 104 attach to the top 501 with a clip mechanism or hinge mechanism. With the latter embodiment the round planar surface 104 with its post 105 would be a non-detachable part of the handicraft table 500. [062] Fig. 5B shows the handicraft table of Fig. 5A with the holding straps 503 removed and with the post 105 of the round planar surface 104 passed through the circular opening 504 in the table top 501 and screwed into the collar 505 with internal threads mounted on the underside of the table top 501.

[063] Fig. 5C shows a side view of how the post 105 of the round planar surface 104 passes through the circular opening 504 in the top 501 of the handicraft table 500 and is screwed into the collar 505 with internal threads mounted on the underside of the table top 501. [064] Fig. 6 shows a pair of sewing pincers 113 used to grasp the edges of material being sewn and to grasp and manipulate a needle. The length of the pincers in preferably 16 cm. Other

lengths and shapes of the handle 601 may be advantageous for certain applications and to accommodate different hand sizes. The pincers 113 are preferably made of a plastic polymer but may also be made of metal or a metal alloy. The jaws of the pincers 602 in this embodiment are serrated. Different types of jaws may be employed to optimize the grip of the pincers on various materials and needles. The handles 601 of the pincers are designed with a positioning structure 603 to fit against the back of the hand between the base of the thumb and the base of the index finger. The positioning structure 603 in preferably made of an elastic polymer, however, other materials such as metal, plastic or felt can be used for the positioning structure 603. This addition of a positioning structure 603 to the pincers 113 encourages users to use the tool properly, because this hand position provides optimal balance of the pincers 113. Without this positioning structure 603, the user may tend to position the hand above the pincers 113 rather grasping them from below like holding a pencil.

[065] Fig. 7 shows sewing pincers 701 designed to be held in the left hand, which would be the case for the user holding the sewing needle in the right hand. As in Fig. 6, the handle of the pincers 701 is designed with a positioning structure 603 to fit against the back of the hand between the base of the thumb and the base of the index finger. In order to provide maximal guidance for the user to hold the pincers correctly, pincers with thumb and finger positioning structures designed for the left hand and for the right hand are included in this preferred embodiment. Utilizing these positioning structures, the user will be guided to hold the appropriate hand-specific pincers in a proper manner. The positioning structures for the tip of the index finger 703, tip of the middle finger 704, and thumb 705 are attached to the pincers 701 as guides and are preferably made of elastic polymer. Other configurations and other materials such as metal, plastic or felt could be employed for the positioning structures. The sizes of the

positioning structures and the spacing between them may be varied to accommodate different hand sizes. In this embodiment the length of the pincers 701 is about 16 cm. Other lengths may be advantageous for certain applications and to accommodate different hand sizes. The jaws of the pincers 602 in this embodiment are serrated. Different types of jaws may be employed to optimize the grip of the pincers 701 on various materials and needles. Pincers for a left hand person would be a mirror image of the pincer 701 of Fig. 7.

[066] Fig. 8B is a schematic showing a top view of a conventional straight sewing needle threaded through its eye.

[067] Fig. 8A shows a straight eyeless needle 111 with pre-attached thread 112. The needle 111 is preferably made of metal, but may also be made of plastic. For comparison, Fig. 8B shows a conventional straight sewing needle 801 with an eye 802 through which the thread 803 is passed. Threading of the eye of standard needles may be difficult if vision or coordination is impaired or if the person's hands are unsteady. The use of eyeless needles 111 with thread pre- attached 112 by, for example, a swaging process, (1) eliminates the need for threading needles, (2) eliminates the problem of thread coming out of the eye of a needle eye which can be frustrating and time-consuming, and (3) provides for a smoother passage of needle and thread through the fabric. The shape of the eyeless needle 111 is streamlined, in that there is no eye, and there is no loop of thread, or doubled thickness of thread, that must pass through the opening in the fabric created by the needle. The straight needles in this embodiment are about 6 cm in length. Various needle lengths and thicknesses can be employed depending on the particular fabric being sewn. Likewise the thickness, material, color, and length of the thread varies according to the fabric involved and the seam strength needed. Since the eyeless needle 111 with pre-attached thread 112 may be used more than once for different projects, universal standard thread colors or

a colorless thread can be advantageous. For sewing delicate material such as that of hosiery, a very fine needle is employed with a very fine colorless thread made of a material such as nylon. In sewing upholstery, a thicker needle with heavier thread is employed. The threads in this embodiment are 60 mm in length, but longer or shorter lengths of thread can be employed depending on the anticipated project for which the thread will be used, and with how much thread the user would feel comfortable working. According to a preferred embodiment, the thread is swaged onto the needle by crimping. A cylindrical space can be drilled into the core of the needle for holding a segment of thread and then the attachment created by compression of the metal around the thread. Other types of swaging or attachment processes can be used. [068] Fig. 9 shows a curved eyeless needle 901with swaged-on thread 112. The needle 901 is made of a metal, preferably a metal alloy. The curved needle 901 preferably has about a 120 degree circular curve with a diameter of 1 cm. Smaller or larger needles can be used with different sized arcs depending on the types of sewing projects being undertaken. As with the straight eyeless needles with swaged-on thread in Fig. 8A, various thicknesses, materials, colors, and lengths of threads and yarns can be employed with the curved eyeless needles 901 to match the material being sewn and the seam strength needed.

[069] Fig. 10 shows a needle holder 1000 with a curved swaged needle 901 in its jaws 1004. This needle holder 1000 is held with the hand positioned above the needle holder 1000. The needle holder 1000 in this embodiment is preferably made of a plastic polymer, but can also be made of a metal, alloy or a combination of materials. The length of the needle holder 1000 in preferably about 15 cm. Other lengths and shapes may be advantageous for certain applications and to accommodate different hand sizes. The handle 1001 is preferably manufactured so that the holes 1002 or rings for the thumb and ring finger are large enough for either thumb to fit up to its

base with the back portion of the ring resting on the palm of the hand behind the base of the thumb. The holes 1002 are preferably oval in shape and are about 6 cm by 3.5 cm, making manipulation of the needle holder easier for the user. It also allows the needle holder 1000 to have the same function whether it is held by a right-handed or left-handed person sewing. Other sizes and shapes of the holes for the thumb and ring finger can be used. The needle holder 1000 has a locking mechanism 1003 which allows the user to hold the needle 901 without constant pressure on the handle. The locking mechanism 1003 of this embodiment is preferably one in which the needle holder 1000 locks on the needle 901 when the handle 1001 is squeezed and unlocks when the handle 1001 is squeezed further. This locking mechanism 1003 is easier to manipulate than the standard ratchet type locking mechanism, although such an embodiment is also a possibility. Another embodiment of the needle holder is one without any locking mechanism. Although with this embodiment the needle cannot be locked into the jaws 1004, its simplicity makes sewing with the needle holder 1000 easy and smooth. The jaws 1004 are preferably about 2 cm in length and 4 mm in width at their maximum width which is at the back of the jaws 1004. The size and surface of the jaws 1004 can be varied as to the size of the needles 901 being used.

[070] Fig. 11 is a top view of a modified needle holder 1100. This needle holderl lOO has curved handles 1101 and is designed to be held either with the hand positioned below or above the needle holder 1100. Positioning of the hand below the needle holder 1100 facilitates sewing delicate articles such as art pieces, quilts, ornaments, and stuffed toys. The handle 1101 of the needle holder is rounded on its exterior side and is oval in cross-section with its maximum dimensions of about 1.5 cm by 1.0 cm, with the larger dimension in the plane of the jaw 1004 surfaces. This relatively large handle 1101 for the needle holder is designed to facilitate sewing

by new users. According to a preferred embodiment, the needle holder 1100 in this embodiment is made of a plastic polymer, but can also be made of a metal, metal alloy or a combination of materials. The size and shape of the needle holder 1100 can vary according to hand size and the type of project for which it is being used. A small, light needle holder 1100 can be advantageous for sewing delicate material. The needle holder 1100 in this embodiment has a locking mechanism 1003 which allows the user to hold the needle without constant pressure on the handle 1101. Various types of locking mechanisms 1003 such as ratchets with or without automatic releases can be employed. The locking mechanism 1003 of a preferred embodiment is one in which the needle holder 1100 locks on the needle 901 when the handle 1101 is squeezed and unlocks when the handle 1101 is squeezed further. This locking mechanism 1003 is easier to manipulate than the standard ratchet on a classical surgical needle holder. Another embodiment of the needle holder 1100 is one without any locking mechanism. Although with this embodiment the needle 901 cannot be locked into the jaws 1004, its simplicity makes sewing with the needle holder 1100 easy and smooth. The jaws 1004 are preferably about 2 cm in length and 4 mm in width at their maximal width which is at the back of the jaws 1004. The size and surface of the jaws 1004 can be varied as to the size of the needles 901 being used. [071] Needle holders 1000 and 1100 are particularly useful for sewing with small curved needles 901. Sewing or repairing cloth materials in small spaces is made easier by using a small curved needle 901, as the size of the needle is smaller than that of a straight eyeless needle 111, and the excursion of a curved needle 901 loaded in a needle holder 1000 or 1100 is considerably smaller than the excursion of sewing with a straight eyeless needle 111. The needle holders 1000 and 1100 also give the user mechanical advantage in passing the needle 901 through stiff material. Use of such curved needles 901 with needle holder 1000 or 1100 may therefore be

particularly advantageous in accomplishing upholstery repairs when the sewing space may be small and the material stiff. The use of small curved needles 901 is also advantageous in repairing handicraft articles such as stuffed toys, where angles and curves can make the limited sewing space very difficult for sewing with straight eyeless needles 111.

[072] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a spool card 1201 for holding an eyeless needle and pre-attached or swaged on thread. The spool card 1201 can hold a curved eyeless needle 901 or a straight eyeless needle 111 with swaged-on thread 112. The spool card 1201 is preferably 7.5 cm in overall height, 5 cm in overall width and 0.5 cm in greatest thickness. The sides of the card may join together at the bottom, opposite the side where the needle 901 or 111 is inserted. The material is preferably 48 Ib. card-like paper. In other embodiments, different materials, such as plastic, and other thicknesses and shapes could be used in constructing the spool card 1201. The inside of the spool card 1201 is preferably filled with foam rubber or a similar soft elastic material to accommodate the needle 901 or 111 and allow for its insertion, removal, and reinsertion. One section of the spool card 1202 is for holding the needle 901 or 111 and the adjacent section 1203 is for holding the thread which is wound around the spool card 1201. The end of the thread 112 is held in a v-shaped slit or notch 1204. The spool card 1201 is reusable so that if thread is remaining from a particular sewing project, the needle 901 or 111 can be replaced into the foam in the needle section 1202 of the spool card 1201 and the thread can be rewound around the thread section 1203 and the end secured in the holding notch 1204. The eyeless needle 111 shown in this drawing is a straight sewing needle. A similar spool card 1201 is used for holding a curved eyeless needle 901, with the size of the needle section 1202 adjusted to the size of the needle.

[073] Examples of Additional Components Used with the Kits

- Standard straight scissors, preferably 16 cm in length, with durable sharp blades.

- Standard curved scissors, preferably 12 cm in length, with durable sharp blades. Curved scissors facilitate cutting patches to the appropriate size and shape and cutting ends of threads or removing frayed material in a precise manner.

- A weighted clamp to hold the end of the thread on tension to assist with displaying the area being worked on

- Standard calipers to measure the sizes of defects and corresponding patches. The calipers can also be used to reproduce distances for multiple attachments, such as buttons.

- Non-permanent thin leaded markers to mark material such as the site of holes for the button re-attachment.

- Cloth patches of various materials, thicknesses and colors.

- Threads and yarns of various materials, thicknesses and colors. One particular type of thread is preferably a clear thread that makes repairs of tears in clothing or upholstery more cosmetic.

- Standard adhesive tape used to initially position patch material over a hole in a fabric to be closed.

[074] Examples of Sewing Kits

[075] The following kits can be put together to facilitate using the kits for a variety of sewing crafts including the repair of clothing, upholstery and stuffed toys. Each kit is preferably accompanied by an instructional guide that explains how to use the elements of the kit.

[076] (1) Basic Sewing Kit with Handicraft Table

Handicraft table 500 with removable holding straps 503 and round planar surface 104 attachment

Sewing pincers 113

Clips 204 and collar 108

[077] This kit contains the most basic components to implement the sewing method for a variety of sewing projects. The table 500 allows the user sewing to display the area being worked on for optimal visualization. The table 500 also frees up both hands, so sewing pincers 113 can be used. A round planar surface 104 can be attached to the table 500 for displaying tubular cloth articles. The user employs conventional needles, threads and materials, scissors, rulers or calipers, tape, and non-permanent markers which may be already available in the home. This kit may contain conventional needles with eyes, conventional threads of various colors and thicknesses, and may contain a straight or curved scissors.

[078] (2) Multipurpose Sewing Kit Containing a Variety of Planar Surfaces and Straight Eyeless Needles with Swaged-on Threads

Planar surfaces (4):

Round 104, single-leaf 201, hinged bi-leaf 301, surfboard-shaped 401

Flexible arm 103

Handicraft table 500

Sewing Pincers - standard 113, left-handed 701, and right-handed

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on threads 112 of various colors and thicknesses, including clear thread

Calipers

Curved and Straight scissors

Clips 204 and collar 108

Patch 110 of various types

Adhesive Tape

Non-permanent marker

[079] (3) Advanced Multipurpose Sewing Kit Containing a Variety of Planar surfaces, Both Straight and Curved Eyeless Needles with Swaged-on Threads, and Needle Holders

Planar surfaces (4):

Round 104, single-leaf 201, hinged bi-leaf 301, surfboard-shaped 401

Flexible arm 103

Handicraft table 500

Sewing Pincers - standard 113, left-handed 701, and right-handed

Straight eyeless needles 111 and curved eyeless needles 901 with swaged-on thread 112 of various colors and thicknesses, including clear thread

Needle holder 1000

Needle holder 1100

Calipers

Curved and straight scissors

Clips 204 and collar 108

Patch 110 of various types

Adhesive Tape

Non-permanent marker [080] (4) Sock or Stocking Repair Kit

Round planar surface 104

Flexible arm

Sewing Pincers - standard 113, left-handed 701, and right-handed

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on thread 112 of various colors and thicknesses

Calipers

Curved and Straight scissors

Collar 108

Patch 110 of various types

Adhesive Tape

[081] (5) Handicraft Sewing Kit with Both Straight and Curved Eyeless Needles with Swaged-on Threads and Needle Holders

Handicraft table 500 with removable straps 503 and removable round planar surface 104

Surfboard-shaped planar surface 401

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on thread 112 with various needle sizes and various materials, colors, thicknesses, and lengths of thread, including clear, colorless thread. Each straight eyeless needle with swaged-on thread is packaged on an individual spool card 1201.

Curved eyeless needles 901 with swaged-on thread 112 with various needle sizes and various materials, colors, thicknesses, and lengths of thread, including clear, colorless thread. Each curved eyeless needle with swaged-on thread is packaged on an individual spool card 1201.

Needle Holder 1100

Curved and Straight scissors

Sewing pincers 113

Clips 204

[082] (6) Upholstery Repair Kit with Both Straight and Curved Eyeless Needles with Swaged-on Threads and Needle Holders

Surfboard-shaped planar surface 401

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on thread 112 with various needle sizes and various materials, colors, thicknesses, and lengths of thread, including clear, colorless thread. Each straight eyeless needle with swaged-on thread is packaged on an individual spool card 1201.

Curved eyeless needles 901 with swaged-on thread 112 with various needle sizes and various materials, colors, thicknesses, and lengths of thread, including clear, colorless thread. Each curved eyeless needle with swaged-on thread is packaged on an individual spool card 1201.

Needle holder 1000

Needle holder 1100

Sewing pincers 113

Curved and straight scissors

Instructional Guide that explains how these surgical-type instruments, materials and techniques are applied specifically to repairing upholstery.

[083] The above are preferred embodiments of these sewing kits. Other embodiments of these kits could be constructed using additional or other surgical-type instruments and materials. [084] Examples of Eyeless Needle Kits

[085] The following are examples of kits with eyeless needles that can accommodate various sewing projects. Each eyeless needle with swaged-on thread is packaged on an individual spool card. [086] (1) Straight Eyeless Needles with Swaged-on Thread

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on threads 112 with various needle sizes and various materials, colors, thicknesses, and lengths of thread, including clear, colorless thread.

Sewing pincers 113 [087] (2) Straight and Curved Eyeless Needles with Swaged-on Thread

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on thread 112 and Curved Eyeless Needles 901 with swaged-on thread 112 with various needle sizes and various materials, colors, thicknesses, and lengths of thread, including clear, colorless thread. Needle holder 1000 Needle holder 1100 Sewing pincers 113 [088] (3) Fine Fabric Eyeless Needle Kit

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on threads 112 and Curved Eyeless Needles 901 with swaged-on thread 112. The needles are fine, that is small in diameter, and the thread is thin and of various colors, including clear, colorless thread. These needles and threads are appropriate for such projects such as repairing hosiery or silk fabric.

Needle holder 1000 - Smaller, lighter than standard

Needle holder 1100 - Smaller, lighter than standard

Sewing pincers 113 [089] (4) Heavy Fabric Eyeless Needle Kit

Straight eyeless needles 111 with swaged-on threads 112 and Curved Eyeless Needles 901 with swaged-on thread 112. The needles are coarse, that is of large diameter, and strong, and the thread is relatively thick and of high tensile strength. These needles and threads are appropriate for such projects such as repairing upholstery or sewing leather.

Needle holder 1000 - Heavier than standard

Needle holder 1100 - Heavier than standard

Sewing pincers 113 [090] Examples of Methods

[091] The operation of this system is illustrated by the methods that have been developed to perform the following sewing tasks:

- Repair of a tear in an article of clothing

- Repair of a hole in a tube-like article of clothing with a patch

- Re-attachment of a button

- Repair of an upholstery tear

- Tying to the ending part of the thread

- Tying to the beginning part of the thread

[092] A variety of alternative planar surfaces, instruments, sewing materials, techniques, and sequences of steps could be used with this system to accomplish such repairs. The kits described above facilitate implementation of this system of sewing. The following methods are those that I prefer at the present time.

[093] The handicraft table 500 can be used for a variety of sewing tasks. The following are some general principles for its use. A cloth article such as an article of clothing, a quilt, an ornament, or a stuffed toy is positioned on the table 500 so that the area to being sewn is upward and spread out. The article is held in position on the table with clips 204 or with the holding straps 503 which are removable. The clips or straps are applied so that the fabric is on slight tension which facilitates visualization. A small pillow-like article may be placed behind the area being worked on to bring the area into better view. The table is positioned on a desk or table top

or is held in the sewer's lap. To display tubular cloth articles, the holding straps 503 are removed and the round planar surface 104 is positioned with its post 105 through the circular opening in the center of the table by screwing it into the threaded collar 505. The tubular article is held in place with a flexible collar 108 or a rubber band. [094] Method to Repair a Tear in an Article of Clothing

1. Attach the flexible arm 103 to the edge 101 of a table or desk 100 with the clamp 102 and attach the single-leaf planar surface 201 with the post 105 to the flexible arm 103.

OR

Use the handicraft table 500 with the holding straps 503 removed.

2. Turn the article to be repaired inside out and then place it over the single-leaf planar surface 201 or over the top of the handicraft table spreading out the torn area to be repaired. Hold the article in place with retaining clips 204 so that the material is neither crumpled nor stretched. The clip 204 handles are folded against the covered planar surface or table top so that the thread will not tend to catch on them. Orient the tear so that one will be sewing towards oneself. Be sure to have a bright light directed on the area where the sewing will take place.

3. Use a curved or straight scissors to trim away frayed material along the tear so the stitches will be placed in solid material.

4. Adjust the angle and height of the material covered planar surface using the "gooseneck" arm of the flexible arm 103 to a comfortable position for sewing from one side. Fix the position of the single-leaf planar surface 201 on the arm of the flexible arm 103 by tightening the set screw 106.

OR

If using the handicraft table 500 place it on a desk or table top or hold it in your lap.

5. Select and prepare the thread or yarn and needle. For an optimal cosmetic result, match the thread or yarn carefully with the material, or use a clear thread.

-Use the thread with the pre-attached straight eyeless needle 111 with swaged-on thread 112 (no threading required). A knot is made at the end. OR

- Use a standard straight sewing needle and pass the thread or yarn through the eye and place a knot at the end. For greater strength use the thread doubled, tying both ends of the thread together.

6. Sew starting from the far end with a continuous over and over stitch

- Lift the edges of the materials with the sewing pincers held in the non-sewing hand

- Note: By lifting the edges of the material with the pincers, one can show oneself the edges well.

- Place the stitches at a depth of about 3 mm back from the edges of the material.

- Space the stitches about 3 mm apart.

- Note that one can use the pincers in the non-sewing hand to pick up the needle which avoids inadvertently sticking oneself and also increases the speed of sewing. Once the needle has been pulled through the material part way with the pincers, simply take the needle back into the sewing hand from the pincers.

- If the tear is long, one may need to reposition the material on the planar surface so one is always sewing at the same angle and with the same good visualization. One may choose to sew part way from each end so that one ties the ends of the two stitches together in the middle. If this is done, place a weighted clamp on the first untied end which enhances the visualization and avoids a loose end in the working area.

- When the tear has been completely closed with the stitches, one is ready to tie the thread so the stitches will not come undone. Before tying it may be necessary to take out the slack in the line of stitches by pulling up on the loops of thread using the tip of the needle. If this is done, one starts at the far end looking for extra thread in the loops and works one's way to the knot area. Note: This step usually is only necessary near the knot area, as to see well in this area one usually doesn't pull up tightly on the thread as one sews, whereas in the area sewn first, visualization is good and one can pull up on the thread and still see well.

- Make a knot at the end of the stitches by simply taking a stitch, making a loop of thread with the pincers, and then passing the needle through this loop twice. A second knot may be made in a similar way.

OR

- Tie to the original end of the thread being held in the weighted clamp. Pincers may be used to make the tying easier.

- Cut the ends of the thread leaving about 3 mm.

- If the material is weak, place a few interrupted figure 8 stitches to reinforce the repair. [095] Method to Repair a Hole in a Tube-like Article of Clothing with a Patch

1. Attach the flexible arm 103 to the edge 101 of a table or desk 100 with the clamp 102 and attach the round planar surface 104 with the post 105 to the flexible arm 103.

OR

Use the handicraft table 500 with the round planar surface 104 in place.

2. Turn the sock 107 to be repaired inside out and then place it over the round planar surface 104. Hold it in place with the collar 108. Be sure to have a bright light directed on the area where the sewing will take place.

3. Use a curved scissors to trim away frayed material along the hole so the stitches will be placed in solid material.

4. Adjust the angle and height of the sock-covered planar surface using the "gooseneck" arm of the flexible arm 103 to a comfortable position for sewing from one side.

5. Measure the size of the hole with a calipers or a ruler.

- Its greatest length and its greatest width

6. Select the material for the patch

- From materials available or from another sock to be discarded.

- If there are several socks with holes, one may want to use one of them for patch material. This will produce the best "match" in color and feel.

7. Cut the patch with a scissors using the measurements from a calipers or a ruler - the patch should be slightly larger than the size of the hole.

- Use a non-permanent marker, pencil or pen, to mark a rectangle on the material using the greatest width and the greatest length that was measured.

- Use a straight scissors to cut the patch first as a rectangle which has a length and width slightly larger than measured with calipers, and then shape the patch by trimming the corners with a curved scissors.

8. Place the patch 110 over the hole 109 in the sock and temporarily hold it in place with a strip of tape along the edge to be sewn later in the sewing sequence. The tape is removed when about 1/3 of the stitches are placed.

9. Select and prepare the thread or yarn and needle

-Use a straight eyeless needle 111 with swaged-on thread 112 (no threading required). A knot may be placed at the end of the thread or the end can be placed in a weighted clamp. By

using the clamp to place the thread on tension, visualization of the area being worked on is enhanced OR

- Use a standard straight sewing needle and pass the thread or yarn through the eye and place a knot at the end. For greater strength use the thread doubled, tying both ends of the thread together.

10. Sew the patch 110 in place with a continuous over and over stitch

- If one is going to tie to the original end of the thread at the completion of the repair, place a weighted clamp on the end of the thread, otherwise with a knot at the end of the thread, start sewing and pull the thread up to the knot.

- Start on the far right side if you are right-handed or on the far left side if you are left- handed. The edge of the patch, which is held to the sock with tape, is on the opposite side from where the initial sewing takes place.

- Lift the edges of the materials with a sewing pincers 113 held in the non-sewing hand. Standard pincers 113 may be used. Alternatively, the hand-specific pincers 701 can be used.

- Note: By lifting the edge of the patch with the pincers, one can show oneself the edge of the sock well.

- Place the stitches at a depth of about 3 mm back from the edge of the hole and the edge of the patch.

- Space the stitches on the sock about 3 mm apart. Space the stitches on the patch slightly closer together.

- Note that one can use the pincers in the non-sewing hand to pick up the needle which avoids inadvertently sticking oneself and also increases the speed of sewing. Once the needle has

been pulled through the material part way with the pincers, simply take the needle back into the sewing hand from the pincers.

- Rotate the sock-covered round planar surface 104 as the sewing proceeds so that the sewing is always being done at the same angle and with the same good visualization.

- Remove the tape on the far side when about 1/3 of the patch has been sewn in place.

- When the patch has been entirely sewn in place, one is ready to tie the thread so the stitches will not come undone. Before tying it may be necessary to take out the slack in the line of stitches by pulling up on the loops of thread using the tip of the needle. If this is done, one starts at the far end looking for extra thread in the loops and works one's way around to the knot area. Note: This step usually is only necessary near the knot area as to see well in this area one usually doesn't pull up tightly on the thread as one sews, whereas in the area sewn first, visualization is good and one can pull up on the thread and still see well.

- Make a knot at the end of the stitches by simply taking a stitch, making a loop of thread with the pincers, and then passing the needle through this loop twice. A second knot may be made in a similar way.

OR

- Tie to the original end of the thread being held in the weighted clamp. Pincers may be used to make the tying easier.

- Cut the ends of the thread leaving about 3 mm.

- If the material is weak, place a few interrupted figure -of-8 stitches to reinforce the repair.

[096] Method to Re-attach a Button

1. Attach the flexible arm 103 to the edge 101 of a table or desk 100 with a clamp 102 and attach the bi-leaf planar surface 301 with post 105 to the flexible arm 103.

2. Be sure to have a bright light directed on the area where the sewing will take place.

3. Place the bulk of the article to be repaired on the side opposite where the sewing will take place. Drape it over the planar surface apparatus so that the edge where the button is to be reattached is at the edge of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301. The site where the button is to be reattached is positioned in the space between the two rectangular leaves 302. Hold the article in place with clips 204 with the handles folded down.

4. Adjust the angle and height of the material-covered planar surface using the "gooseneck" arm of the flexible arm 103 to a comfortable position for sewing from one side. Fix the position of the hinged bi-leaf planar surface 301 on the arm of the flexible arm 103 by tightening the set screw 106.

5. Select and prepare the thread or yarn and needle

-Use the Thread with the pre-attached straight eyeless needle 111 with swaged-on thread 112 (no threading required). A knot is made at the end.

OR

- Use a standard straight sewing needle and pass the thread or yarn through the eye and place a knot at the end. For greater strength use the thread doubled, tying both ends of the thread together.

6. Make dots on the side of the material opposite where the button will be placed using a pencil or non-permanent marking pen. Match the number and spacing of the holes in the button.

7. Place the first stitch through one of the dots on the opposite side of the material where the button will be (the non-button side) and pass the needle and thread through to the other side

(the button side). Now pass the needle up through the button and back down through the button hole diagonally across from the one containing the thread. Now pass the needle back through the material from button side to non-button side using the dot diagonally across from the original stitch.

8. Pass the needle back through the material to the button side using one of the dots not yet used and up through the button. Pass the needle back down through the unused button hole diagonally across from the one previously used and back through the material to the non-button side.

9. Now repeat the sequence of stitches except end up on the button side having not passed the needle back through the material.

10. Tie the stitch around the base of the button. Make a knot by simply making a loop with the pincers, and then passing the needle through this loop twice. A second knot may be made in a similar way.

OR

Pass the needle back to the non-button side and place a small stitch and tie the suture to it. The knot is made by making a loop of thread with the pincers, and then passing the needle through this loop twice. A second knot may be made in a similar way.

11. Cut the stitch about 3mm beyond the knot. [097] Method to Repair an Upholstery Tear

1. Use the surfboard-shaped planar surface 401. Be sure to have a bright light directed on the area where the sewing will take place.

2. Pass the planar surface through the tear with the curved tapered leading end 402 leading the way. The planar surface is generally only placed part way into the area of the tear. If

the tear is large, the planar surface maybe placed entirely within the upholstered piece being worked on and later retrieved with the cord 403. The planar surface will elevate the area to be worked on and separate the underlying material, such as cushioning material, from the cloth being sewn. This prevents the stitches from snagging the underlying material.

3. Use a straight eyeless needle 111, or preferably for small spaces, a curved swaged needle 901. If the curved needle is used, it is maneuvered with a needle holder 1000 or 1100. The smaller size and excursion of the curved needle make it advantageous for sewing in small spaces. For an optimal cosmetic result, match the thread or yarn carefully with the material or use a clear thread.

4. Place the first stitch at the corner of the tear from inside out and then outside in. Then tie the knot which places the knot on the inside. Cut the non-sewing end of the thread about 3 mm from the knot.

5. Sew toward the middle of the area being repaired with continuous stitches. When the middle is reached, place a weighted clamp on the loose end.

6. Reposition the planar surface so that the curved tapered end is at the opposite end of the tear.

7. Using a new needle and thread, place the first stitch at the corner as above. Then tie the knot which again places the knot on the inside. Cut the non-sewing end as before.

8. Sew toward the middle to meet the previous thread, preferably starting on the opposite side as for the first row of stitches. Leave the last few stitches loose.

9. Remove the planar surface, using the cord 403 if necessary.

10. Pull up the loose threads and tie a knot leaving one needle attached to the thread. "Dunk" the knot by bringing it to the inside with a stitch and then cut the ends, free end first and then the end with the attached needle. [098] Method of Tying to the Ending Part of the Thread

1. Take additional small stitch sewing toward oneself.

2. Point the pincers 113 away from oneself and pass them through the loop of thread created and lift the loop.

3. Pass the needle 111 with thread 112 attached through the loop twice.

4. Pull up the thread to tighten.

5. The sequence may be repeated for an additional knot.

[099] Method of Tying to the Beginning Part of the Thread (e.g., in the case of a patch repair with one continuous sequence of stitches)

1. Put the needle 111 down and pick up the ending part of the thread 112 near the end of the seam with the non-dominant hand (left hand if one is right-handed & right hand if one is left- handed).

2. Place the pincers 113 in the dominant hand and pass the tips between the ending part of the thread being held and the free beginning end of the thread. Make a loop around the pincers with the ending part of the thread using the non-dominant hand.

3. Pick up the beginning end of the thread with the pincers and then cross hands. This crossing maneuver pulls up the thread and lays down the first throw of the knot.

4. The sequence is then repeated twice to place a 2nd and then a 3rd row.

[0100] Having now described a few embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been

presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of the invention and any equivalent thereto. It can be appreciated that variations to the present invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is intended to include those alternatives.

[0101] Further, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention