 Sewing machines based on bed type

The bed of a sewing machine is that part of the sewing machine on (or against) which the
fabric rests while it is being sewn. The classification of sewing machine bed types or shape
types is done based on the manner in which the fabric falls, behaves and travels with
respect to the bed during the course of sewing, to enable easier movement of materials
around the machine. The bed types are divided into horizontal bed and vertical bed based
on the plane of fabric sewing. While the horizontal beds are common in use but the vertical
bed type is uncommon and further classified into open vertical bed and closed vertical bed.
In the open vertical-bed machine, the fabric is suspended vertically while being sewn. Bag-
closing machines are open vertical-bed machines. In the closed vertical-bed machine, the
vertically suspended fabric is surrounded by sections of the frame while being sewn, thus
limiting the fabric size. Horizontal bed types are further classified into 5 types that are flat,
raised, cylinder, feed-off-arm and post bed. While feed-off-arm and feed-up-the-arm are
sub-classifications of cylinder beds.

1. Flat bed
The construction and design of the Flat Bed sewing machine is similar to the traditional
sewing machine. Because in this the arm and the needle extend to the flat base of the
machine like the traditional sewing machine. It is a machine frame that permits sewing of a
flat 2D shape of item. The flat bed of the machine is therefore usually mounted on a sewing
machine table, with the working surface of the bed flush with the table top (Fig. 1). The flat
bed is used in the majority of sewing, where a large and open garment part can easily be
handled past the needle and provides a suitable surface for use of markers to control the
position of garment parts, for example a patch pocket in a shirt front. Hence, it has a large
working area where a material can easily pass. It is used for lock stitch, chain stitch and has
widest application in garment sewing in basic types.

Fig 1.1 Flat bed sewing machine

2. Raised bed
A raised bed working surface is not flush with the table top; rather, it is generally raised up
to 4 inches above the table top in the form of a plinth (Fig. 2). The raised bed actually
facilitates threading of loopers in 400, 500 and 600 class of stitch machines. It facilitates
perimeter sewing of large-diameter tubular shaped goods, for example hemming of T-
shirts. Due to its pedestal form, it helps in assembling of pre-sewn parts. Hence this
machine is specifically used for attachment of accessories, and special attachments. This
is the basic form for various specialized machines such as buttonholers. These machines
are also used for lock stitch and chain stitch formation.

Fig 2.1 Raised bed sewing machine

3. Cylinder bed
A cylinder bed is a cylinder-shaped sewing machine frame that permits sewing of a
cylindrically shaped item along the circumference of the item. Here the cylinder axis is
parallel to the direction of sewing (Fig 3.1). It has a cylinder shaped bed (or horizontal
arm-shaped bed) as well as increased working height. This bed type is used where the
parts to be sewn are small, curved or otherwise awkward in shape. While hemming of
hollow cylindrical shaped garment parts like trousers leg or T-shirt sleeves, the sewing
direction is along the circumference of the cylindrical shape. While sewing along the
circumference of cylinder-shaped items using a cylinder-bed machine, the imaginary axis
of the cylindrical item coincides with the axis of the cylinder bed and the item is self-
supported against the machine bed, thereby providing ease of handling during sewing.
The diameter of the cylinder varies from 5 cm to 16 cm. It is also suited for sewing
cuffs, saddles, shoes and can also be utilised for button sewing and bar tacking. It is
used extensively in the making of clothing from knitted fabrics. This machine is used for
producing lock and chain stitch on the fabric.
Fig 3.1 Cylinder bed sewing machine

4. Feed- off- arm

A feed-off-arm bed is a cylindrical sewing machine frame that permits joining of

two opposite edges of a flat-shaped fabric to create a hollow cylindrical-shaped
item. The axis of the cylindrical bed is parallel to the direction of sewing (Fig 4.1). Here the
operator wraps the part to be sewn around the machine bed, two opposite edges are joined
together by flat and felt seam and it is fed away from the operator, off the end of the bed,
as the operator sews. While one end of the cylinder-shaped arm is attached to the machine
frame, the sewing happens at the other end, which is open and away from the operator.
Here the sewn fabric travels away from the cylinder bed; thus the sewn cylinder-shaped
item automatically comes off the tubular/cylindrical-shaped arm. Shirt sleeve inseams and
trouser leg inseams are operations where the flat shape of fabric is converted to a hollow
cylinder/conical shape, and a feed-off-arm is the appropriate bed type for these operations.
It is also useful in seaming shoulders. Hence this machine is dedicated for edge sewing and
requires a lesser working space. It is used in making flat and felt seam. The machine form
chain stitch and over-edge stitch.

Fig 4.1 Feed-of-arm sewing machine

5. Feed- up- the- arm
A feed-up-the-arm bed is very similar to a feed-off-arm, where a tubular/cylindrical sewing
machine frame permits joining of two opposite edges of a flat-shaped fabric to create a
hollow cylindrical-shaped item. Here the open end of the cylinder is towards the operator
and the attachment to the machine frame is away from the operator. The axis of the
cylindrical bed is parallel to the direction of sewing. Here the direction of sewing is opposite
to that of the feed-off-arm. In feed-up-the-arm, the tubular sewed items are accumulated in
the cylinder-shaped machine arm, and do not come off automatically. The operator must lift
the presser foot and take out the sewed items from the cylinder after completing a batch.
Left and right shoulder joins of T-shirts or vests are done using this machine. Feed-up-the-
arm heavy duty lockstitch sewing machine are used for transverse seam in the production of
bags, such as golf bags, travel bags, filter bags etc. (Fig 5.1)

Fig 5.1 Feed-up-the-arm heavy duty lockstitch sewing machine

6. Post bed

A post bed is a sewing machine frame in which the bed is the top surface of a pillar or post.
The pillar or post is mounted vertically on the machine table (Fig. 6.1). The height of the
vertical column is 10 to 45 cm. This machine has bobbins, feed dogs/loopers in the vertical
column. The sewing area is the horizontal cross-sectional area of the pillar or post, which is
typically less than or equal to 4 square inches. Such a bed type permits sewing of concave-
and convex-shaped 3D items, such as brassiere or girdle parts, with ease because the sewn
part can follow its geometric inclination to encompass this bed shape as it is sewed. This bed
type is used where the parts to be sewn are small, curved or otherwise awkward in shape. It
is also used for stitching of products such as shoes, bags and emblems. This machine forms
lock stitch and chain stitch.
Fig 6.1 Post bed sewing machine

References:

https://clothingindustry.blogspot.com/2017/12/classification-sewing-machines.html

http://textilefashionstudy.com/types-of-sewing-machines-features-and-uses-of-sewing-
machine/

https://thefinestthread.com/different-types-of-sewing-machines-explained/

http://textilescommittee.nic.in/writereaddata/files/TC_GMT_11.pdf