Patent Grant
10143253
The present invention generally relates to sewing systems and methods, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for cutting fabric for sewing and pattern design.
When making garments, typically pattern pieces are pinned to fabric for cutting the fabric in the shape of the pattern pieces. Pinning the pattern pieces to the fabric is a time-consuming process, and a user may often stab themselves with the pins, especially when pinning fabrics with a tight denier or lofty fabrics. In addition, pinning can often buckle the pattern pieces, resulting in inaccurate cutting of the fabric. Furthermore, during cutting, the fabric (especially knits, silks, and sheers) may move on the cutting surface, resulting in inaccurate cutting of the fabric.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to
The magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 includes a cutting mat 16 and a magnetic layer 18 attached to the cutting mat. The cutting mat 16 can be formed of wood, cork, plastic, rubber, metal, glass, PVC, or any other material suitable for use with a rotary cutter or other cutting device. Preferably, the cutting mat 16 is self-healing. The cutting mat 16 can include markings 20 such as grid lines, angles, circles, or any other design or shape in any orientation, scale, frequency, or pattern suitable for reference during use of the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12. In one embodiment, the cutting mat 16 includes 1″ grid lines that extend to the edges of the mat and 30°, 45°, and 60° slope lines. The cutting mat 16 can be any suitable size and shape for the desired application. For example, the cutting mat 16 can be rectangular and may be 12″×18″, 18″×24″, or 24″×36″, although other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the cutting mat 16 is a multi-layer self-healing cutting mat sold by Clover Needlecraft of Ontario, Calif.
The magnetic layer 18 can be formed from any material that is attracted to magnets, such as a ferromagnetic material, including iron, nickel, and cobalt alloys. In one embodiment, the magnetic layer 18 is made of a steel or other sheet metal panel. The sheet metal panel can be solid, or can be perforated to reduce the weight of the cutting mat assembly 12. The magnetic layer 18 adds structural strength and stiffness to the cutting mat assembly 12, thereby permitting a thin cutting mat 16 to be used in the assembly if desired. The magnetic layer 18 can be the same size and shape as the cutting mat 16, although other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the magnetic layer 18 may extend under only a portion of the cutting mat 16, or may extend beyond the cutting mat in one or more directions. Preferably, the magnetic layer 18 is a steel sheet metal panel that extends substantially to the edges of the cutting mat 16. This configuration permits multiple mat assemblies to be positioned adjacent each other to form a substantially continuous magnetic layer with substantially no breaks between the adjacent cutting mat assemblies (see, e.g.,
The magnetic layer 18 is secured to the cutting mat 16 in any suitable manner. For example, the magnetic layer 18 can be adhered to the cutting mat 16 with tape, glue, or any suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the magnetic layer 18 can be fastened to the cutting mat 16 with fasteners. If the cutting mat 16 is made of plastic, the magnetic layer 18 can be embedded in the plastic during forming of the cutting mat. Other configurations and methods for attaching the magnetic layer 18 to the cutting mat 16 are within the scope of the present invention.
Optionally, the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 can include additional layers. For example, as illustrated in
The magnets 14 are configured to be magnetically attracted to the magnetic layer 18 to secure items (such as fabric F, pattern pieces P, accessories, and the like) to the cutting mat assembly 12. As shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
The magnetic cutting system 10 can optionally include additional accessories configured for use with the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 and the magnets 14. As seen in
As seen in
A patternmaker hip curve 60 for use with the magnetic system 10 is illustrated in
The hip curve 60 includes at least one opening 68 extending through the hip curve sized and shaped to receive one of the magnets 14. As illustrated, the hip curve 60 includes multiple openings 68 configured to receive the low profile magnets 14. The openings 68 are spaced along a length of the hip curve 60. Magnets 14 can be placed in one or more of the openings 68 to secure the hip curve 60 to the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12. For example, magnets 14 can be placed in multiple openings 68 to secure the hip curve 60 to the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 along the entire length of the hip curve. Alternatively, a single magnet 14 can be placed in a select one of the openings 68 and used as a pivot point for moving the hip curve 60. The patternmaker hip curve 60 can be of any suitable size for drawing, measuring, and cutting fabric and patterns, such as a 24″ curve with the curve sides having a width of 1½″ and a thickness of ⅛″, as illustrated. The hip curve 60 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, glass, metal, wood, or other materials. Preferably, the hip curve 60 is translucent, transparent, or semi-transparent. In one embodiment, the hip curve 60 is made of transparent plastic such as acrylic and includes markings 70 (including measurements) printed on a surface (e.g., on the top surface and/or on the underside) of the hip curve. For example, the markings 70 can be printed on the underside of both the first and second sides 62, 64 of the hip curve 60 in a highly visible color, such as yellow. The markings 70 can include measurements in U.S. units, metric units, or a combination, and the hip curve 60 can include multiple measurements starting from zero at opposing ends of the ruler. Although a double-sided hip curve is illustrated, it is understood that other configurations are within the scope of the present invention, such as a typical one-sided hip curve having openings configured to receive the magnets. In addition, although the hip curve 60 is described and illustrated with openings 68 for use with the magnetic system 10, it need not include the openings, and can be used in conventional cutting or design systems as well.
A T-square ruler or grain alignment guide 80 is illustrated in
The guide 80 includes at least one opening 90 extending through opposite faces of the guide sized and shaped to receive one of the magnets 14. As illustrated, the guide 80 includes multiple openings 90 configured to receive the low profile magnets 14. The openings 90 are spaced along a length of the guide 80. Magnets 14 can be placed in one or more of the openings 90 to secure the guide 80 to the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12. For example, magnets 14 can be placed in multiple openings 90 to secure the guide 80 to the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 along the entire length of the guide. Alternatively, a single magnet 14 can be placed in a select one of the openings 90 and used as a pivot point for moving the guide 80. The grain alignment guide 80 can be of any suitable size for drawing, measuring, aligning, and cutting fabric and patterns, such as 24″ or 36″ long with a thickness of ⅛″, as illustrated. The guide 80 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, glass, metal, wood, or other materials. Preferably, the guide 80 is translucent, transparent, or semi-transparent. In one embodiment, the guide 80 is made of transparent plastic such as acrylic and includes markings 92 (including measurements and grid lines) printed on a surface (e.g., on the top surface and/or on the underside) of the guide. For example, the markings 92 can be printed on the underside of the guide 80 in a highly visible color, such as yellow. The markings 92 can include measurements in U.S. units, metric units, or a combination, and the guide 80 can include multiple measurements starting from zero at opposing ends of the ruler portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide 80 includes markings 92 on both the ruler and transition portions 84, 86. The markings 92 include measurements starting from zero at the base portion 82 on both sides of the guide 80, although one side can include measurements starting from zero at the opposite end of the guide, or only one side can include markings. Although the guide 80 is described and illustrated with openings 90 for use with the magnetic system 10, it need not include the openings and can be used in conventional cutting systems as well.
An L-square ruler or patternmaker square 100 is illustrated in
The square 100 includes at least one opening 114 extending through the square sized and shaped to receive one of the magnets 14. As illustrated, the square 100 includes multiple openings 114 configured to receive the low profile magnets 14. The openings 114 are spaced along a length of each side portion 102, 104, 106 of the square 100. The internal portion 112 can also include openings (not shown). Magnets 14 can be placed in one or more of the openings 114 to secure the square 100 to the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12. For example, magnets 14 can be placed in multiple openings 114 to secure the square 100 to the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 along the entire length and width of the square. Alternatively, a single magnet 14 can be placed in a select one of the openings 114 and used as a pivot point for moving the square 100. The patternmaker square 100 can be of any suitable size for drawing, measuring, aligning, and cutting fabric and patterns, such as 24″ long with 2″ wide side portions and a thickness of ⅛″, as illustrated. The square 100 can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, glass, metal, wood, or other materials. Preferably, the square 100 is translucent, transparent, or semi-transparent. In one embodiment, the square 100 is made of transparent plastic such as acrylic and includes markings 116 (including measurements) printed on a surface (e.g., on the top surface and/or the underside) of the square. For example, the markings 116 can be printed on the underside of the square 100 in a highly visible color, such as yellow. The markings 116 can include measurements in U.S. units, metric units, or a combination, and the square 100 can include multiple measurements starting from zero at opposing ends of the side portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the square 100 includes markings 116 on both the first and second side portions 102, 104. The square 100 can also include markings on the third side portion 106 and/or the internal portion 112 (not shown). The markings 116 include measurements starting from zero at the intersection of the first and second side portions 102, 104, although other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. Although the square 100 is described and illustrated with openings 114 for use with the magnetic system 10, it need not include the openings and can be used in conventional cutting systems as well.
In use, a user lays fabric F on the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12. The assembly 12 is preferably supported on a surface such as a table T with the cutting mat 16 facing upward and the fabric F positioned on the cutting mat. Sewing pattern pieces P are placed over the fabric F and secured to the fabric and the cutting mat assembly 12 with magnets 14. The fabric F is also secured to the cutting mat assembly 12 by the magnets 14 holding the sewing pattern pieces P. Additional magnets 14 can also be used to secure the fabric F to the cutting mat assembly 12 independent of the pattern pieces P. The user then cuts the fabric F in the shape of the pattern pieces P with a rotary cutter R or other suitable device.
If the magnetic cutting system 10 includes the patternmaking accessories (e.g., the ruler 40, the curve 50, the hip curve 60, or the square 100) as described above, they can be implemented to assist a user in forming and using pattern pieces P, in aligning the pattern pieces on the mat and with the fabric F, and in cutting the fabric on the mat. In use, a user lays pattern paper (e.g., uncoated white butcher paper, or any other suitable patternmaking material) on the patternmaker layer 22. The patternmaking accessory is secured to the pattern paper and the cutting mat assembly 12 with magnets 14. The user then marks or cuts the pattern paper to form the sewing pattern piece P, using the patternmaking accessory as a guide. The patternmaking accessories can also be used to mark or cut fabric F secured to the cutting mat assembly 12, with or without using sewing pattern pieces P.
If the magnetic cutting system 10 includes the grain alignment guide 80 as described above, it can be implemented to assist a user in aligning and using pattern pieces P. In one exemplary embodiment, a user lays fabric F on the magnetic cutting assembly 12. The assembly is supported on a surface such as a table T with the cutting mat 16 facing upward. The fabric F is positioned on the cutting mat 16. The selvage of the fabric F is aligned along with gridline markings 20 on the mat 16 at the edge of the mat, and the fabric is straightened and smoothed as necessary to prepare for cutting. The fabric selvage edges can be held in place with magnets 14 to keep the fabric F from moving relative to the cutting mat assembly 12. A sewing pattern piece P is placed on the fabric F. The pattern piece P is positioned on the fabric F so that the pattern grain line is approximately parallel to the fabric selvage. The grain alignment guide 80 is placed on an edge of the cutting mat 16 perpendicular to the selvage and a first end of the pattern grain line. The lip edge 88 engages the cutting mat assembly 12 or the table T to ensure the guide 80 remains in the aligned position. In addition, magnets 14 can be placed in openings 90 of the guide 80 to ensure the guide remains in the aligned position. Using the markings 92 on the guide 80, the user straightens the pattern piece P so the position of the first end of the grain line is established using the guide markings 92 on the guide 80. Once the position of the first end of the pattern piece P is established, that end is secured to the cutting mat assembly 12 and the fabric F with one or more magnets 14. The grain alignment guide 80 is then moved to the other end of the pattern grain line. The grain alignment guide 80 remains perpendicular to the pattern grain line. The user then straightens the pattern piece P so the position of the other end of the grain line is established using the same marking 92 on the guide 80. Once the position of the second end of the pattern piece P is established, that end is secured to the cutting mat assembly 12 and the fabric F with one or more magnets 14.
As an alternative to placing the grain alignment guide 80 perpendicular to the pattern grain line, the guide can be placed parallel to the selvage and the pattern grain line. If the guide 80 is placed parallel to the selvage, magnets 14 are placed in the openings 90 to temporarily hold the guide in place while the pattern pieces P are adjusted. The pattern pieces P are straightened following the edge of the ruler portion 84 of the guide 80 (as opposed to following the markings 92 as described in the alternative perpendicular placement above).
Once the pattern piece P is aligned with the grain line of the fabric F, additional magnets 14 can be placed on the pattern piece to hold it securely in place. Additional pattern pieces P can be placed on the fabric F and aligned as described above. The user then cuts the fabric F in the shape of the pattern pieces P with a rotary cutter R or other suitable device. For example, a 28 mm rotary cutter can be used to cut around curved pattern edges. A smaller cutter can be used to cut or mark notches from the pattern pieces P in the fabric F. A larger rotary cutter (e.g., 45 mm) can be used with thicker or loftier fabrics. After the fabric F is cut and notched according to the pattern pieces P, the magnets 14 can be removed and the cut fabric pieces can be set aside to be sewn.
The magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 can be sold and shipped to customers separately or as part of a kit. In one embodiment, the magnetic cutting mat system 10 includes the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12 and the magnets 14. In another embodiment, the magnetic cutting mat system 10 includes the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12, the magnets 14, and the patternmaker layer 22, sold assembled (with the patternmaker layer attached to the magnetic cutting mat assembly) or disassembled. In another embodiment, the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12, the magnets 14, and one or more of the accessories (e.g., the patternmaker ruler 40, the patternmaker curve 50, the patternmaker hip curve 60, the grain alignment guide 80, and/or the patternmaker square 100) are sold together in a kit. In one embodiment, the magnetic cutting mat assembly 12, the magnets 14, and the grain alignment guide 80 are sold together. Alternatively, the accessories can be sold separately for use with the magnetic cutting system 10, either individually or in any combination. Other configurations and assemblies are within the scope of the present invention.
The magnetic cutting system 10 as described above is versatile and permits a user to quickly and easily place and secure pattern pieces on fabric for cutting. The magnets 14 are strong enough to securely and firmly hold the pattern pieces and the fabric in place during cutting. The accessories described above can also be quickly and firmly secured to the fabric and/or the pattern pieces for easy use. In addition, the accessories for use with the magnetic cutting mat assembly are preferably transparent for better visibility when drawing and making pattern pieces.
Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
As various changes could be made in the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
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