Method and apparatus for visualizing the position of an operating head relative to a workpiece

A method of stitching a workpiece, the method comprising:

• (a) displaying an unsewn predetermined pattern on a display;
• (b) manipulating the predetermined pattern on the display;
• (c) displaying an indicator on the display, the indicator corresponding to a position of a sewing head relative to the workpiece;
• and
• (d) moving a control handle operably connected to the sewing head to move the indicator relative to the unsewn predetermined pattern on the display and move the sewing head relative to the workpiece.

An apparatus for stitching a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a memory for retaining a plurality of predetermined patterns;
• (b) a sewing head moveable relative to the workpiece;
• (c) a display connected to the memory for displaying an indicator corresponding to a position of the sewing head relative to the workpiece and a selected one of the predetermined patterns, wherein the displayed predetermined pattern is independent of stitching in the workpiece;
• (d) a control handle operably connected to the sewing head to move the sewing head and the display relative to the workpiece to move the indicator relative to the selected one of the predetermined patterns, wherein the display is mounted relative to the control handle for movement with the control handle.

A method of visualizing an operating head relative to a workpiece, the method comprising:

• (a) displaying an unsewn predetermined pattern to be formed in the workpiece on a display;
• (b) displaying an indicator on the display, the indicator corresponding to a position of the operating head relative to the workpiece;
• (c) manually moving the operating head to change a position of the operating head relative to the workpiece;
• and
• (d) moving the displayed predetermined pattern relative to the displayed indicator, wherein movement of the displayed predetermined pattern relative to the displayed indicator corresponds to the manual movement of the operating head.

An apparatus for making a pattern in a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a free-motion machine having an operating head and a tracking device;
• (b) a memory for retaining a plurality of unsewn predetermined patterns;
• (c) a display displaying a selected one of the unsewn predetermined patterns from the memory, wherein the displayed predetermined pattern is independent of an image of the workpiece;
• and
• (d) an indicator on the display corresponding to a position of the workpiece relative to the operating head, wherein the selected unsewn predetermined pattern is made in the workpiece by manually moving the workpiece relative to the operating head and the selected predetermined pattern moves relative to the displayed indicator corresponding to movement of the workpiece relative to the operating head.