Patent Application
20100162863
The present invention relates to cutting fabric in connection with a pattern, especially to cutting pieces of fabric, from fine silk to strong upholstery fabric, to be sewn or otherwise joined to form a garment. It especially relates to domestic sewing and sewing as a part of a small business.
A conventional way of cutting pieces of fabric to be sewn together to form a garment comprises spreading the fabric out flat, pinning light tissue or thin paper sewing patterns to the fabric, and cutting the fabric around the edges of the patterns. Typically, patterns comprise a plurality of pieces called “pattern pieces”. In this application, “pattern” is used to refer both to a pattern piece and to a plurality of related pattern pieces. Sometimes, disassembled articles of clothing or upholstery are used as pattern pieces. Pinning the thin paper patterns to the fabric is time-consuming. In addition, pinning some fabrics can be difficult. For greater speed, it is also known to use weights rather than pins to hold the patterns in place on the fabric. A drawback of the use of weights is that weights heavy enough to be effective are so large that they interfere with cutting the fabric at corners and narrow portions of the patterns. In addition, distortion and tearing of the patterns has been an issue when pins or weights are used to control clothing patterns.
The force of magnetic attraction on conventional magnets has the drawback of distorting the sewing patterns and the fabric to be cut, causing puckering in the patterns and fabric, especially if the fabric is thick. This situation is made worse by the need for stronger magnets as the thickness of the fabric increases. The closer a magnet is to the edge of a pattern and, thus, the closer a magnet is to the portion of the fabric to be cut, the greater the distortion caused by the magnet in the edge of the pattern and in the portion of the fabric to be cut. This limits the accuracy and precision with which the fabric can be cut. Furthermore, although relative movement between the pattern and the fabric during cutting is reduced in accordance with the proximity of the magnet to the edge of the pattern, the closer a conventional magnet is to the edge of a pattern, the greater is additional distortion in the pattern and material caused by lateral magnetic attraction imposed on the magnet by a steel cutting edge of a cutting tool that passes close by the magnet while making a cut.
By the present invention, magnets of various sizes, shapes and strengths are used instead of pins or weights to secure a pattern relative to a material, such as a fabric, so that the fabric can be cut accurately and precisely in accordance with the pattern. For this purpose, a magnetically-attractive substrate, such as a plate of steel, is placed under the fabric. As a result, the pattern and the fabric are clamped between the magnets and the substrate, and the pattern and the fabric are prevented from moving relative to one another and relative to the substrate. By “magnetically-attractive” is meant a material that is able to attract a magnet or be attracted by a magnet. Preferably, the magnetically-attractive substrate includes a top layer of a resilient or other material that is well-suited to receive a sharp edge, such as that of a cutting wheel, to produce a clean cut in the fabric. It is preferred that the top layer is bonded or otherwise attached to a magnetically-attractive portion of the substrate. The magnetically-attractive area extends to the edge of the substrate around the entire perimeter of the substrate. Thus, the magnetically-attractive area extends throughout all of the substrate. In view of this, a plurality of the substrates can be positioned in abutment with one another along their edges, lengthwise or widthwise, to provide a larger cutting surface under all of which the magnetically-attractive area is present. Connectors can be used to secure the substrates to one another.
Each of a plurality of related pattern pieces must be lined up with the grain of the fabric being cut. All such pattern pieces can be lined up with the grain of the fabric being cut, if the cutting area is large enough. All fabrics, from the finest silk to the sturdiest upholstery material, are quickly, efficiently, and securely held in place by the magnets, under any type of pattern piece, until it is cut.
Also by the present invention, at least some magnets have a nonmagnetic portion or portions extending laterally from a magnetic portion, wherein the nonmagnetic portions are arranged to contact the pattern and the fabric. Such magnets hold the pattern and the fabric still without distorting them at the portion of the fabric to be cut, or with reduced distortion at the portion of the fabric to be cut, compared with conventional magnets, with which the magnetic portion is positioned at the portion of the fabric to be cut. The lateral extension of magnets having a nonmagnetic portion or portions extending laterally from a magnetic portion provides control of the pattern and the fabric at the edge of the pattern and the portion of the fabric to be cut, with no distortion or reduced distortion. Distortion can affect the accuracy of cutting. In addition, with magnets having a nonmagnetic portion or portions extending laterally from a magnetic portion, the magnetic portions are positioned sufficiently far from the edges of the pattern that there is no magnetic attraction between the magnet and a steel cutting edge of a cutting tool that passes close by the magnet while making a cut.
Magnets having an extending nonmagnetic portion are especially useful when disassembled articles of clothing or upholstery material are used as patterns. The extensions hold the curved edges of worn pattern pieces much better than do conventional magnets. In addition, nonmagnetic extensions can be placed right on pattern edges without disturbing a conventional razor-sharp steel cutting wheel. Placing conventional magnets, which are without any nonmagnetic extension, too close to a pattern edge causes the steel cutting wheel to be pulled towards the magnet, and the magnet to attach itself to the wheel, thereby disrupting the cutting process.
A kit according to the present invention includes a plurality of magnets, preferably of various sizes and shapes, and at least one magnetically-attractive substrate. The kit can have a plurality of magnetically-attractive substrates, a cutting tool and packaging.
The substrates, which are essentially self-healing craft mats backed with a magnetically attractive material, can be produced in an unlimited variety of sizes to accommodate doll clothing, quilting squares, and even large pieces for upholstery and window treatments. One particularly useful shape and size for the self-healing craft mats is a 2-foot by 3-foot rectangle. The substrates can be permanently set into the surface of a sewing table or craft table.
As can be seen from
Preferably, the magnetically-attractive substrate 20 also comprises a top layer 24 of a resilient or other material that is well-suited to produce a clean cut in the fabric, when a sharp edge, such as that of a conventional razor-sharp cutting wheel 26, is applied. A material that is particularly well-suited as the top layer 24 is the material of a conventional self-healing craft mat. Self-healing craft mats are made to be used in combination with razor-sharp cutting wheels to cut fabric. Razor-sharp cutting wheels become dull almost immediately when used to cut on other surfaces. Most cutting tools other than razor-sharp cutting wheels and scissors (for domestic use) do not work well on fabric.
It is preferred that the top layer 24 be bonded or otherwise attached to the magnetically-attractive material 22 of the substrate 20. As can be appreciated from
The present invention will be described further with reference to the pattern 12, it being understood that the description also applies to the pattern 14 of
As can be appreciated from
The kit 30 can have a plurality of the substrates 20, or substrate sections, that can be used individually or secured together in abutment with one another along their edges, lengthwise or widthwise, to form a single substrate of larger area, under all of which the magnetically-attractive area is present, and thereby provide a larger cutting surface. For such securing, the kit 30 can include clips or other conventional fasteners 32 (
Packaging 34 can hold together all of the parts of the kit 30 for sale and storage. In the illustrated packaging 34, a plurality of the magnetically-attractive substrates 20 can be held one in front of the other such that only the front substrate is visible, especially where all of the substrates 20 are of the same size and shape.
Also by the present invention, as can be seen from
As can be seen from
In the magnets 36-42 and 50-54, the magnetic portion defines two lateral extensions defining an angle with one another. Typically, the nonmagnetic portion extends laterally from about 1 inch to about 2 inches from the magnetic portion, and the ratio of the length to the width of each lateral extension is from about 2 to 1 to about 4 to 1. In the magnets 40, 42, 48, 52 and 54, the lateral extensions define approximately a right angle with one another. In the magnet 36, the lateral extensions define an acute angle with one another; and in the magnets 38, the lateral extensions define an obtuse angle with one another. In the magnets 50, the lateral extensions extend from opposite ends of the magnetic portion (indicated by broken lines in
As can be appreciated from
The present invention also relates to a method for cutting material, especially fabric, in connection with a pattern, as can be appreciated from
The magnets 18 are positioned entirely within the area of the pattern, near the edges of the pattern, especially in corners, and in spaced relationship with one another. The magnets 18 are typically positioned such that the edge of each magnet that is the closest to the edge of the pattern 12 is about ¼ inch to 1 inch from the edge of the pattern. Then, the fabric 16 is cut by pressing a cutting edge, such as that of a razor-sharp cutting wheel 26, into the fabric and moving the cutting wheel along the outline provided by the pattern 12, while the fabric is supported by the substrate 20. The substrate 20 can have a second material 24 adapted to receive a cutting edge in a manner that results in an even cut in the fabric to be cut, in which case the pattern 12 is preferably placed entirely on the second material.
A plurality of substrates often are used together. As can be seen from
A plurality of magnets, for example, a plurality of magnets selected from the types of magnets 18 and 36-54, is positioned on the pattern to restrain movement of the pattern and the fabric 16 relative to one another and relative to the at least one substrate, and the fabric is cut using the pattern as a guide. Preferably, the cutting is done by pressing a cutting edge, such as the cutting edge of a conventional razor-sharp cutting wheel 26 into the fabric while the fabric is supported by the at least one substrate.
In the cutting method according to the present invention, one or more of the magnets, for example, magnets of the types of magnets 36-54, each having a magnetic portion 36A-54A and a nonmagnetic portion 36B-54B, can be used. When a magnet having a magnetic portion and a nonmagnetic portion is used, the nonmagnetic portion is positioned adjacent to a cut to be made in the fabric, and the magnetic portion is positioned farther from the cut to be made than the nonmagnetic portion is positioned. For example, for the magnet 46 as seen in
The description above of the use of the magnet 46 also applies to each of the magnets 36-44 and 48-54. For each of the magnets of the types of magnets 36-54, the magnetic portion 36A-54A and the nonmagnetic portion 36B-54B are secured to one another. For this purpose, an adhesive or fasteners or other securing arragement can be used. In
When a magnet having a nonmagnetic portion defining two lateral extensions is used, both lateral extensions can be positioned adjacent to a cut to be made in the fabric. For example, both lateral extensions 60 of the nonmagnetic portion 52B of the magnet 52 can be positioned adjacent to a cut to be made in the fabric. Furthermore, as can be appreciated from
As can be seen from
The following are examples of cutting fabric in accordance with the present invention.
A pattern to make a woman's jacket calls for two and a half yards of 56″ wide fabric.
Three rectangular cutting mats according to the present invention, each two feet wide and three feet long, are placed together widthwise on a 72″ cutting table. The fabric is folded in half lengthwise and placed evenly across the three mats. The pattern pieces are cut out of a pattern sheet. Using the layout provided by pattern, as many of the pattern pieces that will fit are placed on the fabric. Domestic pattern kits provide illustrations on laying out pattern pieces. As the pattern pieces are laid out, magnets are placed on the pattern pieces, which are on the fabric, to secure the pattern pieces and the fabric. Fabric pieces are cut out of fabric using a cutting wheel. The pieces of cut fabric are marked, and the magnets adjusted, if necessary. The fabric is adjusted across the mats so that more of the pattern pieces can be accommodated, and the steps described above are followed for the more pattern pieces.
For larger projects, such as window treatments or upholstery:
Six rectangular cutting mats according to the present invention, each two feet wide and three feet long, are placed together widthwise and lengthwise on the floor or a large cutting area. The fabric out is laid out evenly across the mats. Magnets are placed as appropriate on patterns or old upholstery material. Fabric pieces are cut out of the fabric using a cutting wheel. The pieces of cut fabric are marked, and the magnets adjusted, if necessary. The fabric is adjusted across the mats so that more of the pattern pieces can be accommodated, and the steps described above are followed for the additional pattern pieces.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is contemplated that variations and/or changes in the embodiments illustrated and described herein may be made without departure from the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the foregoing description is illustrative only, not limiting, and that the true spirit and scope of the present invention will be determined by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 11/498,762, filed Aug. 4, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11498762 | Aug 2006 | US |
| Child | 12659260 | US |
