A SEWING AID AND METHOD OF USE THEREFOR Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to templates and devices for assisting the processes of marking out and measuring in the field of patchwork, quilting, sewing and soft furnishing.

Background Art.

The creation of regular sewing or embroidery patterns and designs is artful.

The process is assisted by the use of various types of patterns, templates, rulers and apparatus such as circular sewing attachments.

Whilst such apparatus and implements are helpful, the production of regular and consistent results is not always assured and the quality of work remains dependant upon operator skill.

The inventors of the present invention have been active in this area previously and have invented a template to assist the process of circular sewing and embroidery. This prior art template comprises a disc-like body having a central aperture, segmental and circular markings on the body and a plurality of apertures in the body coinciding with intersecting points of the markings on the body which enable centrepoint positions for circular, arcuate and other patterns to be marked on a workpiece.

Another problem recognized in the sewing and particularly the quilting art is the formation of a double mitered corner on the border strip of fabric. Prior art method of forming such as corner involve folding the fabric of the border piece back on itself to form a hem or similar and then folding the border piece over itself to form a 90° corner. As will be appreciated, this creates a corner with four (or more) layers of material and then additional thickness and rigidity is created when the corner is stitched.

This problem is exacerbated when a double mitered corner is provided on the work piece. Devices and methods for using devices are available. So-called

"mitering rulers" are available. These mitering rulers are simply rectangular pieces of plastic or similar with two parallel side edges, one perpendicular end edge and an

angled end edge. The angled end edge is used to mark the angle of the miter on the work piece. Rulers of this type can make the task of measuring the correct distances and the like to form the miter easier, but are complex to use and leave a lot of the actual calculation of the distances up to the user, who once the distances are calculated, could use virtually any ruler to measure.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simplified method of marking and making a double mitered corner for a fabric work piece to minimize the bulk at the corner.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Summary of the Invention.

The present invention is directed to a sewing aid or template and method of use therefor, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a marking template for marking a fabric work piece in order to form a double mitered corner on or from the work piece, the template including a rectangular portion and a triangular portion, with the rectangular portion associated with the triangular portion along at least a portion of one of the edges of the triangular portion to define an internal corner between an edge of the rectangular portion and an edge of the triangular portion, and at least one hem line marking radiating from the internal corner.

The template will typically be used when marking out an area on a piece of fabric or similar prior to cutting the fabric or sewing to form a double mitered corner. The template of the invention is particularly well suited to use in the field of patchwork, quilting, sewing and soft furnishing where it can be used to quickly and accurately mark out the required positions of sewing lines and guide lines for folding the work piece to form the double mitered corner. The template will generally be unitary and planar and manufactured of a plastic material. The template can be easily stamped or cut from a larger sheet of plastic. Typically, the plastic will be at least partially transparent so the fabric or work

piece can be viewed through the template when it is in place on the fabric or work piece.

The template will preferably be rigid and approximately up to 5mm thick. Any edges provided on the template will preferably be rounded as the template will be manipulated by hand and should be comfortable to hold and move and also not damage the work piece.

The rectangular portion will preferably have a pair of side edges and an end edge. The rectangular portion is preferably integrally formed with the triangular portion to form an irregular shape along what would otherwise be, the fourth edge of the rectangular portion. Accordingly, one of the side edges of the rectangular portion preferably meets a corner of the triangular portion. The other side edge of the rectangular portion preferably meets the hypotenuse edge of the triangular portion approximately halfway along the hypotenuse edge to define an internal corner.

The end edge of the rectangular portion is preferably parallel to the hypotenuse edge of the triangular portion.

There are also preferably markings on the rectangular portion. The preferred markings extend parallel to the end edge and perpendicular to the side edges of the rectangular portion. The markings are preferably spaced from one another.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, there may be: L a plurality of "inch" markings which are one inch apart and spaced from the hypotenuse edge of the triangular portion;

2. a plurality of Vi inch markings which are one inch apart and located between the inch markings; and

3. a plurality of ¹ A inch markings which are Vi an inch apart and located between the inch markings and the Vi inch markings.

Each of the above markings is preferably marked differently in order to be more easily distinguishable from one another. For example, the inch markings may preferably be solid lines, the Vi inch markings may preferably be long dashed lines and the ¹ A inch lines preferably short dashed lines. The provision of the markings may allow the rectangular portion to be used as a ruler or measuring instrument in particular for marking the hem and under hem allowance on the work piece.

The markings on the rectangular portion will also preferably be oriented at 45° to the equal length side edges of the triangular portion.

The triangular portion will preferably be a right-angled triangle shape. An isosceles triangular shape is particularly preferred with a pair of equal length side edges and a hypotenuse edge.

The triangular portion is preferably integrally formed with the rectangular portion to form an irregular shape along what would otherwise be, the fourth edge of the rectangular portion and a portion of the hypotenuse edge of the triangular portion. Accordingly, one of the side edges of the rectangular portion preferably meets a corner of the triangular portion. The other side edge of the rectangular portion preferably meets the hypotenuse edge of the triangular portion approximately halfway along the hypotenuse edge to define an internal corner.

A hem line marking radiates from the internal corner of the template and extends towards one of the equal length side edges of the triangular portion. A plurality of hem line markings will typically be provided, at least one for differently shaped work pieces. Normally, the plurality of hem line markings are provided between a first hem line radiating from the internal corner at 45° towards the opposite equal length side edge of the triangular portion and the rectangular portion of the template. The hem line markings will normally radiate at different angles for different shaped work pieces. For example, hem line markings are preferably provided at 45° for rectangular work pieces, 30° for hexagonal work pieces and 22.5° for octagonal work pieces. These markings will typically be solid line markings. Other hem line markings may be provided. Preferably, only hem line markings are provided in that portion of the triangular portion between a first hem line radiating from the internal corner at 45° towards the opposite equal length side edge of the triangular portion and the rectangular portion of the template, the rest of that portion being left blank or clear.

Other markings will normally be provided on the triangular portion. These markings preferably extend parallel to the 45° hem line marking and one of the equal length side edges of the triangular portion.

The markings are preferably spaced from one another.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, there may be:

1. a plurality of "inch" markings which are one inch apart and spaced from the 45° hem line marking;

2. a plurality of Vi inch markings which are one inch apart and located between the inch markings; and

3. a plurality of ¹ A inch markings which are Vi an inch apart and located between the inch markings and the Vi inch markings.

Each of the above markings is preferably marked differently in order to be more easily distinguishable from one another. For example, the inch markings may preferably be solid lines, the Vi inch markings may preferably be long dashed lines and the ¹ A inch lines preferably short dashed lines.

A further form of the invention may reside in a method of use of a template as described above to mark a work piece in order to form a double mitered corner on a work piece. Brief Description of the Drawings.

Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of a template according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of a rectangular work piece and fold line.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the work piece of Figure 2 folded diagonally and with the hem and under hem allowance marked thereon.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the work piece of Figure 3 with a first sew line marked thereon. Figure 5 a schematic view of the work piece of Figure 4 with a second sew line marked thereon and with dotted cut lines.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the work piece of Figure 5 with the sew lines placed together, the fabric folded along the hem and under hem lines and turned inside out to form the double mitered corner. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a marking template for marking a fabric work piece in order to form a double mitered corner on or from the

work piece is provided.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the template 10 includes a rectangular portion 11 and a triangular portion 12, integrally formed to define an internal corner 13 between an edge of the rectangular portion 11 and an edge of the triangular portion 12, and hem line markings radiating from the internal corner.

The template 10 of the illustrated embodiment is planar and manufactured of a transparent plastic material. The fabric or work piece can be viewed through the template 10 when it is in place on the fabric or work piece.

The rectangular portion 11 has a pair of side edges 14a, 14b and an end edge 15. The rectangular portion 11 is integrally formed with the triangular portion

12 to form an irregular shape along what would otherwise be, the fourth edge of the rectangular portion 11. Accordingly, one of the side edges 14a of the rectangular portion 11 meets a corner of the triangular portion 12. The other side edge 14b of the rectangular portion 11 meets the hypotenuse edge 16 of the triangular portion 12 approximately half way along the hypotenuse edge 16 to define the internal corner 13.

The end edge 15 of the rectangular portion 11 is parallel to the hypotenuse edge 16 of the triangular portion 12.

There are also markings on the rectangular portion 11 extending parallel to the end edge 15 and perpendicularly to the side edges 14a, 14b of the rectangular portion 11.

According to the illustrated embodiment, there are:

1. a plurality of "inch" markings 17 which are one inch apart and spaced from the hypotenuse edge 16 of the triangular portion 12;

2. a plurality of ¹ A inch markings 18 which are one inch apart and located between the inch markings 17; and

3. a plurality of ¹ A inch markings 19 which are ¹ A an inch apart and located between the inch markings 17 and the ¹ A inch markings 18. Each of the markings is marked differently in order to be more easily distinguishable from one another. For example, the inch markings 17 are solid lines, the ¹ A inch markings 18 are long dashed lines and the ¹ A inch lines 19 are short dashed lines.

The markings on the rectangular portion 11 are oriented at 45° to the equal length side edges 20 of the triangular portion 12.

The triangular portion 12 is right-angled, isosceles triangle shape with a pair of equal length side edges 20a, 20b and a hypotenuse edge 16. A plurality of hem line markings radiate from the internal corner 13 of the template 10 and extend towards the opposite equal length side edge 20a of the triangular portion 12.

The hem line markings radiate at different angles for different shaped work pieces. For example, hem line markings of the illustrated embodiment are provided at 45° for rectangular work pieces 21, 30° for hexagonal work pieces 22 and 22.5° for octagonal work pieces 23. These markings are solid line markings.

Only the hem line markings are provided in the portion of the triangular portion 12 between the 45° hem line 21 and the rectangular portion 11 of the template 10, the rest of the portion being left clear. Other markings are provided on the triangular portion 12. These markings extend parallel to the 45° hem line marking 21 and one of the equal length side edges 20b of the triangular portion 12.

According to the illustrated embodiment, there are:

1. a plurality of "inch" markings 24 which are one inch apart and spaced from the 45° hem line marking 21 ;

2. a plurality of ¹ A inch markings 25 which are one inch apart and located between the inch markings 24; and

3. a plurality of ¹ A inch markings 26 which are ¹ A an inch apart and located between the inch markings 24 and the ¹ A inch markings 25. Each of the markings is marked differently in order to be more easily distinguishable from one another. For example, the inch markings 24 are solid lines, the ¹ A inch markings 25 are long dashed lines and the ¹ A inch lines 26 are short dashed lines.

In use, there are a number of steps to be followed using the template 10 to mark the work piece and then manipulate the work piece to form the mitered corner, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 6. These steps include:

1. Preparation a. Determine the finished size and shape of the work piece 28 (square in the illustrated embodiment). b. Ensure all of the corners are angled appropriately (square in the illustrated embodiment). c. Tip - crisp starch or iron the corner to ensure a firm fabric to work with.

2. Mark the Hem Allowance a. Fold the work piece 28 to align two adjacent edges of the work piece 28 (along a diagonal in the illustrated embodiment in Figure 2 to form the triangular shaped work piece illustrated in Figure 3) with the main fold 27 to the right. b. Using the template 10, mark the required hem allowance (hem line 29) and under hem allowance (under hem line 30) on the work piece 28 using the distance measurement markings on the rectangular portion 11 of the template 10 on all sides of the work piece 28 - Figure 3. c. The hem allowance and the under hem allowance should be parallel to the aligned edges of the fabric. d. The hem allowance will be greater than the under hem allowance. 3. Marking the Stitching or Sewing Line a. Place the template 10 of Figure 1 on the work piece 28 with the 45° hem line marking 21 of the template 10 (because the work piece is rectangular) overlying the under hem line 30 marked on the work piece 28. b. Slide the template 10 until the edge 14b of the rectangular portion 11 of the template 10 intercepts the intersection 31 of the hem line 29 on the work piece 28 and the main fold 27 of the fabric work piece 28. c. With a marker, mark the first sewing line 32 onto the work piece 28 along the edge 14b of the rectangular first portion 11 of the template 10 adjacent the internal corner 13 as illustrated in Figure 4. d. The second sewing line 33 is the mirror image of the first 32, so for 90° corners as illustrated, the hypotenuse edge 16 of the triangular

portion 12 of the template 10 is used without moving the template 10 after marking the first sewing line 32 as illustrated in Figure 5. For other shapes, the template 10 is inverted and the internal corner 13 is aligned with the intersection 34 of the under hem line 30 and the first sewing line 32 with the appropriate hem line marking of the template

10 (for that particular shape work piece) overlying the under hem line 30 marked on the work piece 28. The second sewing line 33 is then marked onto the work piece 28 along the edge of the rectangular first portion 14b of the inverted template 10 adjacent the internal corner 13. 4. Sewing the Miter a. Sew along the marked first 32 and second 33 sewing lines. b. Trim to 1/8 inch seam as marked by dotted lines in Figure 5. c. Cut the seam where it extends from the under hem line in line with the under hem line at position 35. d. Fold the fabric along the under hem line 30 such that the second sewing line 33 meets the first sewing line 32 and the under hem overlays the hem. e. Whilst holding the second sewing line 33 and the first sewing line 32 together, fold the work piece along the hem line 29 in the same direction as the fold in the previous step. This will require the intersection 31 of the hem line 29 on the work piece and the main fold 27 of the work piece to be turned inside out, which forms the sewn double mitered corner 36 when the work piece 28 is turned over as illustrated in Figure 6. f. Press ready to sew.

5. Repeat for the other corners. hi the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present

invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.