Thread handling arrangement for sewing machines

In a sewing machine wherein a sewing needle and looptaker cooperate in the formation of lock stitches in a fabric, the combination comprising:

• a thread source;
• a thread tensioning device to which thread extends from the thread source;
• a thread holder to which thread extends from the tensioning device and from which thread extends to the needle;
• and
• a takeup for setting stitches and pulling thread through the tensioning device from the thread source, the takeup being movable in a stitch setting direction with thread to one end of its operating range whereat the thread is positioned for temporary retention in the holder and movable in the opposite direction free of the thread holder to the other end of said operating range to permit thread to move in the holder from the temporary retention position to a position of reengagement with the takeup at said other end of its operating range whereby the path for thread between the tensioning device and needle is shortened, and a quantity of thread is supplied for use by the needle and looptaker;
• said thread holder including a pair of fixed elongate thread holding members which extend parallel to one another for at least a portion of their lengths and are spaced apart to receive the thread from the tensioning device therebetween, the elongate thread holding members being formed for frictional contact of both members with the thread at spaced locations only on one member and at a location therebetween on the other member during movement in the holder in said opposite direction free of the takeup, the takeup being formed and being disposed relative to the thread holder to cause thread in the thread holder to be pulled out of contact with the said one member at the spaced apart thread contacting locations by the takeup and frictional drag on the thread to be thereby reduced in the thread holder during movement of the takeup in the stitch setting direction.