Abstract:
A method and apparatus for automated assisted generation, by a user, of a digitized border pattern for a border zone of a fabric article, and automated assisted sewing of the digitized border pattern, the border pattern incorporating a plurality of border pattern segments having one or more pattern lines, the actuator displaying the border zone to the user, presenting available digitized border pattern segments to the user for selection, positioning, orienting, scaling, and selective interconnecting, by the user through interaction with the actuator, for integration of the selected border pattern segments into the digitized border pattern.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is in the field of methods and apparatuses for automated pattern sewing, and in particular in the field of method and apparatuses for the automated generation and sewing of integrated border patterns for quilts and other fabric articles. In this specification, including the claims, the term “fabric article” shall be defined to mean a quilt, which is to be sewn from two or more layers of fabric, or other sewing article, such as an embroidery article, which is to be sewn from one or more layers of fabric. 
         [0002]    Automated quilting has become increasingly popular because it allows persons to quilt who lack the time, skill, physical ability, or patience to quilt by hand. Mechanized sewing frames, including quilting frames, provide for a sewing machine to be mounted on a sewing machine carriage which is movably mounted on the quilting frame or other sewing frame. The sewing machine carriage typically has a pair of carriage motors, each motor being connected to a gear box which is connected to a carriage drive mechanism. The carriage drive mechanism interacts with the quilting frame or other sewing frame, thereby providing for the two dimensional, x-y, horizontal movement for the sewing machine carriage and the sewing machine mounted thereon. This x-y horizontal movement of the sewing machine provides for the automated positioning of the sewing machine for the automated sewing of a pattern. The fabric layers being quilted are typically held between a pair of fabric rails, a feed rail and a take up rail, the take up rail passing through the throat of the sewing machine and the feed rail being positioned outside the throat of the sewing machine. The two fabric rails provide for the linear positioning and positioning of the fabric and for maintaining a desired tension on the fabric as the sewing machine is moved in the x and y dimensions and sews a desired pattern. 
         [0003]    Automated quilting systems typically use a digitized pattern which is selected by the user. The digitized pattern is stored and implemented by an actuator, typically a digital computer, which may be an integral part of the automated quilting system. Typically the sewing machine and hence the needle bar, have to be initially manually positioned with respect to the fabric in accordance with the sewing pattern, and then the actuator causes the sewing machine to move in accordance with the pattern and to sew the selected pattern as the sewing machine is moved. In order to provide for the automated sewing of a sewing pattern on a quilt or other fabric article that would otherwise be too large for sewing on a typical quilting or other sewing frame and sewing machine apparatus, the method and apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 8,515,571 to Bagley, the present inventor, provides for the automated segmental sewing of over-sized sewing patterns. 
         [0004]    In the interest of appearance, creativity, and durability, most users of automated quilting systems, as well as persons quilting by hand, prefer to have a border on the quilt. A border is typically a strip or zone of fabric which extends around the periphery of the quilt and is sewn with a border pattern, which is different from the pattern used for the sewing of the quilt central zone. A quilt may have more than one border strip or zone, each of which may have a different border pattern. 
         [0005]    Sewing enthusiasts may also desire to sew border patterns for other types of fabric articles, such as an embroidery articles. Sewing of patterns with mechanized frames, as described above for quilts, which typically have two or more fabric layers, may be accomplished for other types of fabric articles, including single fabric layer embroidery articles. The term “sewing frame” shall be defined to include, for the purposes of this specification including the claims, those fabric positioning and automated sewing machine positioning mechanisms known to persons of skill in the art to be included within the normal industry definition for the terms “quilting frame” or “sewing frame”, as well as other frames and fabric positioning and sewing machine control mechanisms which provide for positioning and for automated pattern sewing of the typical two or more fabric layers for a quilt, the typical single layer for an embroidery article, or the one or more layers for other fabric articles. 
         [0006]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for a fabric article that will provide for a user to select or identify border characteristics, including length, width, position with respect to the quilt outer edge, the existence or non-existence of a peripheral zone, and the dimensions of the peripheral zone; will provide for the user to review pattern segments that are available for incorporation into a border pattern; and will provide for the user to select, determine the respective quantities, orient and position the border pattern segments that the user wishes to incorporate in the overall border pattern; and will provide for the sizing (scaling) and fitting of the selected border pattern segments with respect to the border zone, and for the optional interconnection of the selected, positioned, oriented and scaled border pattern segments as desired by the user. 
         [0007]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for generating and sewing a digitized border pattern for a fabric article, the border pattern being comprised of a plurality of digitized border pattern segments which may be selected by the user through the use of a digital display of the available pattern segments from a digital pattern segment library; and may be positioned, oriented and scaled by the user, in respective quantities selected by the user, in a border zone dimensioned and positioned by the user near the perimeter of the fabric article. 
         [0008]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for generating and sewing a digitized border pattern for a quilt or another fabric article which provides for the end lines of some or all of the border pattern segments, as selected by the user, to be connected to the end lines of respective adjacent border pattern segments in a manner selected by a user from inter-connection options generated and displayed to the user, which inter-connection options may include truncating one or both of the pattern segment end lines that are to be connected. 
         [0009]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for a user to select or identify border characteristics, including length, width, and position with respect to the quilt outer edge, i.e. the existence or non-existence of a peripheral zone; for the user to review pattern segments that are available for incorporation into a border pattern; and for the user to select and position the border pattern segments in respective quantities selected by the user, that the user wishes to incorporate in the overall border pattern. 
         [0010]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for generating and sewing a digitized border pattern for a quilt or another fabric article, which provides for the segmental sewing of the border pattern. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A quilt or other fabric article has a fabric article periphery and may have a border zone which extends completely or partially around the fabric article. The border zone may be positioned inside a peripheral zone which may also extend completely or partially around the fabric article. For a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention, the user may initially be prompted by an actuator, which may be a digital computer or an integrated computer system, to input fabric article data, such as dimensions. Based upon the initial fabric article data input by the user as prompted by the actuator, digitized fabric article coordinates are determined by the actuator. 
         [0012]    Through interaction with the actuator, border pattern segments selected by the user are positioned as selected by the user within the border pattern zone. After the border zone and the border pattern zone have been digitized by the actuator, based upon input data and choices by the user, the user may be prompted to examine, on a computer screen, monitor, or other electronic display device, pattern segments which are stored in the actuator or are otherwise accessible to the actuator by link to a digital pattern segment data base. Typical border pattern segments may include border pattern segments that are specifically adapted for use as corner pattern segments. 
         [0013]    Through interaction with the actuator, the user may select and position the border pattern segments which the actuator may initially orient based on the position designated by the user in the border pattern zone. Based upon input from the user, the actuator may adjust the size (i.e. scale) of any or all of the border pattern segments to fit all or a portion of the border pattern segments in the border pattern zone. The border pattern segments selected, positioned and scaled by the user through interaction with the actuator may be displayed to the user on a computer screen, monitor, or other electronic display device. 
         [0014]    Upon viewing the display of the selected, positioned and scaled border pattern segments, the user may alter the border pattern segment selections, the number of the respective selected border pattern segments, the scale, or the positioning of the selected border pattern segments through interaction with the actuator. Also, through interaction with the actuator, the user may reorient the selected pattern segments which have been positioned in the border pattern zone. The reoriented pattern segments may be mirror or reflected images or may be rotated as desired by the user. The pattern segments selected, positioned and oriented by the user through interaction with the actuator, and scaled by the actuator based upon input by the user, may be displayed to the user by the actuator, which includes the border pattern segments and the reoriented border pattern segments. 
         [0015]    Preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the generation of a continuous border pattern extending continuously around the border zone, for the ease of sewing and improved appearance. Alternatively, some of the border pattern segments may the interconnected with adjacent border pattern segments, while other border pattern segments are not interconnected with one or both of the adjacent border pattern segments. A continuous border zone pattern or partially interconnected border pattern segments, requires that the end lines of adjacent border pattern segments be interconnected. Typically the pattern segment interconnection options may include alternative interconnecting lines with adjustable curves or splines of varying curvature. The user may accept one of the interconnection options displayed or may, by interaction with the actuator, cause the actuator to compute and display additional interconnection lines alternatives. Some of the interconnection line alternatives include alternatives for truncating either or both of the pattern segment end lines which are being interconnected by the interconnection lines alternatives. The truncation of one or more of the respective end lines that are being interconnected may result in a smoother and more visually appealing continuous or partially interconnected border zone pattern. 
         [0016]    The actuator displays to the user the final border pattern, which is the result of the border pattern segments selected by the user in respective quantities selected by the user, positioned as selected by the user, oriented as selected by the user, scaled as selected by the user, and interconnected as selected by the user, through interaction of the user with the actuator. The user may revise any or all of the foregoing selections at any time through interaction with the actuator. 
         [0017]    The method and apparatus of the present invention provide for the sewing of the final stitching border pattern in consecutive border zone portions. For each border zone portion, the fabric of the border zone portion is positioned on the sewing frame, and border zone position data for the border zone portion is detected by a position detection mechanism which is used to detect the position of a plurality of border reference points of the border zone portion and actuator provides for the border reference points to be digitized. The sewing end points are detected by a position detection mechanism for each previously sewed border zone portion which is adjacent to the present border zone portion, and those sewing end points are digitized. The border stitching pattern for the present border zone portion is adjusted to fit the sewing start points of the present border zone portion to the sewing end points of the previously sewed border zone portions which are adjacent to the present border zone portion. The adjusted border stitching pattern of the border zone portion is then sewed. 
         [0018]    Preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the user to alter or revise the final border pattern, including border pattern segment selections, respective quantities of selected border pattern segments, border pattern segment positioning, pattern segment orientations, scaling of border pattern segments, fitting of border pattern segments to border zones, and pattern segment interconnections of adjacent border pattern segments at any time prior to stitching. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a typical layout for a fabric article having a central zone, a border zone, and a peripheral zone, which fabric article may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention, showing fabric article periphery, peripheral zone, outside border line, border zone, inside border line, outside margin zone, outside margin line, border pattern zone, inside margin line, inside margin zone, and central zone. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 2 , with border pattern segments selected by the user and positioned as selected by the user within the border pattern zone. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 3  with border pattern segments selected by the user, positioned as selected by the user within the border pattern zone, and oriented by the user. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 4  with border pattern segments selected by the user, positioned as selected by the user within the border pattern zone, and oriented by the user, with pattern segment interconnection options for connecting the end lines of adjacent border pattern segments shown, including options for truncating portions of interconnected pattern segment end lines. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 5  with the pattern segment interconnections, including the end line truncations, selected by the user being shown. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 6  showing the final border pattern with interconnected border pattern segments as selected by the user. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a plan view detail of a top portion of a layout for a fabric article, which may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 7  showing the border pattern as stitched, the peripheral zone line as stitched, and the border zone line as stitched. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a fabric article which is the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention having the border pattern, the peripheral zone line and the border zone line stitched as selected by the user using the method and apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a plan view detail of a portion of a border pattern of a fabric article, which is the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention, showing the border pattern extending outside the outside margin line. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a plan view detail of a portion of a border pattern of a fabric article, which is the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention, showing a border zone with inside margin line and outside margin line rounded at a corner, and showing the border pattern extending inside the inside margin line. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a pattern of a fabric article, which is the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention, having two contiguous border zones and two border patterns established by a user using the method and apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a plan view detail of a corner portion of a border pattern of a fabric article, which is the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention, showing an alternative for mitering the border pattern segments at a corner. 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a plan view detail of a corner portion of a border pattern of a fabric article, which is the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention, showing an alternative for terminating the border pattern at a corner. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , a plan view of a layout for a rectangular embodiment of a fabric article  1  is shown. The fabric article periphery  2  is comprised of a top periphery  49 , a left periphery  51 , a right periphery  53 , and a bottom periphery  55 . While the embodiment shown has a peripheral zone  6  extending completely around the fabric article periphery  2  of the fabric article  1  that is comprised of a top periphery zone  50 , a left periphery zone  52 , a right periphery zone  54 , and a bottom periphery zone  56 , which may typically be a plain fabric without pattern stitching and comprised of an accent or a complementary color, portions of the periphery zone may be eliminated, for example, on both sides while being maintained on the top and bottom. 
         [0034]    For the fabric article  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a border zone  5  extends completely around the fabric article  1  inside a continuous peripheral zone  6 . For embodiments having no peripheral zone  6 , or a partial peripheral zone, the border zone  5  would extend to the fabric article periphery  2  at all points where there is no peripheral zone  6 . For the embodiment shown, the border zone  5  is comprised of a top border zone  39 , a left border zone  41 , a right border zone  43  and a bottom border zone  45 . The border zone  5  is formed by the outside border line  8  and the inside border line  3 . For the embodiment shown, the outside border line  8  includes a top outside border line  65 , a left outside border line  66 , a right outside border line  67 , and a bottom outside border line  68 . For fabric article layouts not having a peripheral zone  6  on all sides of the layout, at points where there is no peripheral zone, the outside border zone  8  aligns with the fabric article periphery  2 . The inside border line  3 , which for the embodiment shown includes a top inside border line  57 , a left inside border line  59 , a right inside border line  61 , and a bottom inside border line  63 , serves as an inside boundary of the border zone  5  and an outside boundary of the central zone  4 . 
         [0035]    For a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of the present invention, the user may initially be prompted by an actuator, which may be a digital computer or an integrated computer system, to input fabric article data. The fabric article data that the user may be prompted to input, typically by keyboard or touchscreen, may include fabric article width  23 , fabric article length  31 , top peripheral zone width  77 , left peripheral zone width  79 , right peripheral zone width  81 , bottom zone peripheral zone width  83 , top border zone width  35 , left border zone width  27 , right border zone width  29 , and bottom border zone width  37 . For other embodiments, the actuator may provide for the user to input additional fabric article data values for other fabric article variables such as outside margin zone width  105  and an inside margin zone width  106 . Alternatively, the actuator may provide for the user to input fewer fabric article data values and for values of non-input variables to be suggested and displayed to the user, based upon input fabric article data. Based upon the initial fabric article data input by the user as prompted by the actuator, digitized fabric article coordinates are determined by the actuator, which may typically include top left fabric article corner coordinate  7 , top right fabric article coordinate  11 , bottom left fabric article corner coordinate  15 , bottom right fabric article corner coordinate  19 , top left peripheral zone coordinate  69 , top right peripheral zone coordinate  71 , bottom left peripheral zone coordinate  73 , bottom right peripheral zone coordinate  75 , top left border zone coordinate  9 , top right border zone coordinate  13 , bottom left border zone coordinate  17 , and bottom right border zone coordinate  21 . Central zone width  25  and central zone length  33  may also be determined by the actuator from the input data. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a plan view detail of a layout of a top portion of a fabric article  1 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 1 , that may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention. The fabric article periphery  2 , peripheral zone  6 , outside border line  8 , border zone  5 , inside border line  3 , outside margin zone  90 , outside margin line  82 , border pattern zone  94 , inside margin line  84 , inside margin zone  92 , and central zone  4  are shown. The actuator may prompt the user to decide whether the user wishes to establish an outside margin zone  90  for the border zone  5 , adjacent to the outside border line  8 , and an inside margin zone  92  for the border zone  5  which is adjacent to the inside border zone line  3 . If the user elects to establish an outside margin zone  90  and an inside margin zone  92 , the user may elect to have the actuator position border pattern segments  111  as shown in  FIGS. 3-5  between the top outside margin line  85  and the top inside margin line  87 , between the left outside margin line  89  and the left inside margin line  91 , between the right outside margin line  93  and the right inside margin line  95 , and between a bottom outside margin line and a bottom inside margin line similarly positioned within the border zone  5  but not shown in  FIGS. 2-5 . The outside margin line  82  and the inside margin line  84  may serve as boundary lines, i.e. outside and inside position limits for the border pattern segments  111  as shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . Alternatively, the outside margin line  82  and the inside margin line  84  may serve merely as guides or reference lines for the positioning of border pattern segments  111  with respect to the border zone  5 . 
         [0037]    The user may be further prompted by the actuator to input an outside margin zone width  105  and an inside margin zone width  106 . This provides for the determination by the actuator of digitized coordinates which define the border pattern zone  94 , including pattern zone outside top left coordinate  97 , pattern zone outside top right coordinate  101 , pattern zone inside top left coordinate  99 , pattern zone inside top right coordinate  103 , and corresponding coordinates for the bottom portion of the fabric article  1  not shown in  FIG. 2 . The border pattern zone  94  may then be defined by the top outside margin line  85 , top inside margin line  87 , left outside margin line  89 , left inside margin line  91 , right outside margin line  93 , right inside margin line  95 , and corresponding coordinates in the bottom portion of the fabric article  1  not shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0038]    For the preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the outside margin zone  90  is shown with the uniform width  105  for the top, bottom, left and right portions of the outside margin zone  90 . Similarly for the embodiment shown, the inside margin zone  92  is shown having a uniform inside margin zone width  106  for the top, bottom, left and right portions of the inside margin zone  92 . However the user may be prompted by the actuator to input whether the user wishes to select a uniform margin zone width for both the outside margin zone  90  and the inside margin zone  92 , wishes to select a different outside margin zone width  105  and a different inside margin zone width  106 ; or wishes to establish a different margin zone width for different portions of the outside margin zone  90  or the inside margin zone  92 . Of course, the user may also elect to eliminate any or all portions of the outside margin zone  90 , as well as any or all portions of the inside margin zone  92 . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a plan view is shown of the top portion of a fabric article  1  layout that may be the subject of the method and apparatus of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 2 , with border pattern segments  111  selected by the user positioned as selected by the user within the border pattern zone  94 . After the border zone  5  and the border pattern zone  94  have been digitized by the actuator, based upon input data and choices by the user, the user may be prompted to examine, on a computer screen, monitor, or other electronic display device, pattern segments which are stored in the actuator or are otherwise accessible to the actuator by link to a digital pattern segment data base. Typical border pattern segments  111  are illustrated in  FIG. 3 , which may include border pattern segments  111  that are specifically adapted for use as corner pattern segments  120 . Through interaction with the actuator, the user may select and position the border pattern segments  111  which the actuator may initially orient based on the position designated by the user in the border pattern zone  94 . Based upon input from the user, the actuator may adjust the size (i.e. scale) of each of the border pattern segments  111  to fit all or a portion of the border pattern segments  111  in the border pattern zone  94  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The border pattern segments  111  selected and positioned by the user through interaction with the actuator may be displayed to the user on a computer screen, monitor, or other electronic display device. Upon viewing the display of the selected and positioned border pattern segments  111 , the user may alter the border pattern segment  111  selections, the number of the respective selected border pattern segments  111  or the positioning of the selected border pattern segments  111  through interaction with the actuator. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , through interaction with the actuator, the user may reorient the selected pattern segments which have been positioned and scaled in the border pattern zone  94 . The reoriented pattern segments  113  may be mirror or reflected images or may be rotated as desired by the user. The pattern segments  111  selected, positioned and oriented by the user through interaction with the actuator, and scaled by the actuator based upon input by the user, may be displayed to the user by the actuator as shown in  FIG. 4 , which includes the border pattern segments  111  and the reoriented border pattern segments  113 . Preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the generation of a continuous border pattern extending continuously around the border zone  5 , for the ease of sewing and improved appearance. Alternatively, some of the border pattern segments  111  may the interconnected with adjacent border pattern segments  111 , while other border pattern segments  111  are not interconnected with one or both of the adjacent border pattern segments  111 . The development of a continuous border zone pattern or partially interconnected border pattern segments  111 , requires that the end lines  122  of adjacent border pattern segments  111  be interconnected. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , three alternative interconnection lines  115  are shown for each pair of adjacent border pattern segments  111 . Although three alternatives for the interconnecting lines  115  are shown in  FIG. 5 , the actuator may provide a larger or a smaller number of alternative interconnection lines  115 . The options for interconnection lines  115  may be displayed by the actuator to the user. Typically the pattern segment interconnection options may include alternative interconnecting lines  115  with adjustable curves or splines of varying curvature. 
         [0042]    The user may accept one of the interconnection options displayed or may, by interaction with the actuator, cause the actuator to compute and display additional interconnection lines alternatives  115 . It will be noted that some of the interconnection line alternatives  115  include alternatives for truncating either or both of the pattern segment end lines  122  which are being interconnected by the interconnection lines alternatives  115 . The truncation of one or more of the respective end lines  122  that are being interconnected may result in a smoother and more visually appealing continuous or partially interconnected border zone pattern. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , from the interconnection line alternatives  115  shown in  FIG. 5 , the selected interconnection alternative  117  between the end lines  122  of respective adjacent patterns segments  111 , as selected by the user is shown in  FIG. 6 . The border pattern segments  111  selected by the user, including the reoriented pattern segments  113  reoriented as selected by the user, with interconnection alternatives  117  selected by the user are shown in  FIG. 6 . For the alternative shown, the resultant border pattern  119  is shown in  FIG. 7 , which is rendered a continuous final border pattern  119  by the pattern segment interconnections  117  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0044]    Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the actuator displays to the user the final border pattern  119  which is the result of the border pattern segments  111  selected by the user in respective quantities selected by the user, positioned as selected by the user, oriented as selected by the user, scaled as selected by the user, and interconnected as selected by the user, through interaction of the user with the actuator. The user may revise any or all of the foregoing selections at any time through interaction with the actuator. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a display is illustrated that the actuator may provide to the user to indicate the final border stitching pattern  121  of the final border pattern  119 , which may be a continuous border pattern as shown in  FIG. 8 , or may have one or more respective discontinuities in the pattern between respective adjacent border pattern segments  111 . If desired and selected by the user, the final border stitching pattern  121  may include inside border line stitching  123  along the inside border line  3  or outside border line stitching  125  along the outside border line  8 , or both. Alternatively, the user may elect not to include inside border line stitching  123  or outside border line stitching  125  in the final border stitching pattern  121  of the final border pattern  119 . Referring also to  FIG. 9 , the final border stitching pattern  121  of the final border pattern  119  for the total fabric article  1 , which may be displayed by the actuator to the user for use by the user in making a final confirmation of the pattern, is shown. 
         [0046]    Referring further to  FIG. 9 , commencement of the sewing of the final border stitching pattern  121  may be initiated by positioning a border zone portion  124 , namely a first border zone portion  126 , of the unsewn fabric article  1 , on a sewing frame and using a position detection mechanism to detect the position of at least two border reference points on the first border zone portion  126  of the unsewn fabric article  1 , the border reference points being selected and located by the user on the first border zone portion  126 . The position detection mechanism may consist of the needle bar of a sewing machine which may be positioned over each of the border reference points, or may utilize a laser detector, a mouse detector, a neon pen or other position detection device that will be known to persons of skill in the art. The border reference points may include, for example, the top left fabric article corner  7  and the top right fabric article corner  11 , or the top left central zone corner  9  and the top right central zone corner  13 . The border reference points may be identified and located by the user on the unsewn fabric article  1  through the interaction of the user with the actuator. As the needle bar is positioned sequentially by the user over these border reference points on the unsewn fabric article  1 , or other position detection mechanism is used to detect the position of these border reference points, the border reference points being identified and located on the unsewn fabric article  1  through the interaction of the user with the actuator, the actuator may then scale the border pattern to produce the final border pattern  119  based upon the digitized coordinates for the border reference points. The actuator may then position the sewing machine with respect to the unsewn fabric article  1  in a position to initiate the sewing of the first border zone portion  126  of the fabric article  1 . 
         [0047]    Through user interaction with the actuator, the sewing start point  131  and the sewing end point  133  on the final border stitching pattern  121  may be selected. The sewing start point  131  and the sewing end point  133  will depend on the sewing frame and the sewing machine being used and the extent to which the fabric article may be sewn from a single position of the fabric article  1  on the sewing frame.  FIG. 9  illustrates the final border pattern  119  being divided into four border zone portions  124  at respective border zone portion lines  143 . If the inside border line stitching  123  and outside border line stitching  125  are to be sewn, then the actuator may establish an inside border line sewing start point  135 , an inside border line sewing end point  137 , an outside border line sewing start point  139 , and an outside border line sewing end point  141 . 
         [0048]    Since the size of the fabric article  1  illustrated in  FIG. 9  may exceed the size of the sewing frame, the user may reposition the fabric article  1  on the sewing frame one or more times, for the sequential sewing of consecutive border zone portions  124  until the entire final border stitching pattern  121  has been sewn. Each time the fabric article  1  is repositioned for sewing of the final border stitching pattern  121  in a new border zone portion  124 , the needle bar may be positioned over the prior sewing begin point  131  and the prior sewing end point  133 , or other position detection mechanism may be used to detect the position of the prior sewing begin point  131  and the prior sewing end point  133 , for reference in sewing the new border zone portion  124  of the fabric article  1 . 
         [0049]    The method of the present invention provides for the sewing of the final stitching border pattern  121  in consecutive border zone portions  124 . For each border zone portion  124 , the fabric of the border zone portion  124  is positioned on the sewing frame, and border zone position data for the border zone portion  124  is detected by a position detection mechanism which is used to detect the position of a plurality of border reference points of the border zone portion  124  and actuator provides for the border reference points to be digitized. The sewing end points  133  are detected by a position detection mechanism for each previously sewed border zone portion  124  which is adjacent to the present border zone portion  124 , and those sewing end points  133  are digitized. The border stitching pattern  121  for the present border zone portion  124  is adjusted to fit the sewing start points  131  of the present border zone portion  124  to the sewing end points  133  of the previously sewed border zone portions  124  which are adjacent to the present border zone portion  124 . The adjusted border stitching pattern  121  of the border zone portion  124  is then sewed. 
         [0050]    Preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the user to alter or revise border pattern segment  111  selections, respective quantities of selected border pattern segments  111 , border pattern segment  111  positioning, pattern segment  111  orientations, scaling of border pattern segments  111 , fitting of border pattern segments  111  to border zones  5 , and pattern segment interconnections  117  of adjacent border pattern segments  111 . Preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the alterations or revisions of the final border pattern  119  to be made by the user through interaction with the actuator at any time prior to stitching. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a plan view detail of a portion of a border pattern  119  of a fabric article  1  illustrating border pattern segments  111  which include an alternative outside extending pattern segment  141 , and alternative pattern discontinuities  145  are shown. Referring also to  FIG. 11 , a plan view detail of a portion of an alternative border pattern  119  of a fabric article  1  illustrating border pattern segments  111  which include an alternative inside extending pattern segment  143 , an alternative rounded inside corner border line  147 , an alternative rounded outside corner border line  149 , and an alternative rounded fabric article periphery  155 , is shown. While preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the selected and oriented border pattern segments  111  to be scaled and positioned within the border pattern zone  94  and between the outside margin line  82  and the inside margin line  84 , other embodiments may provide the user with the option to incorporate one or more outside extending pattern segments  141  or one or more inside extending pattern segments  143 , or both, in the final border pattern  119  as shown in  FIG. 11 . As stated above, the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the outside margin line  82  and the inside margin line  84  to strictly define the limits of the selected, positioned, oriented, and scaled border pattern segments  111 , or may provide for the outside margin line  82  and the inside margin line  84  to serve as guides or reference lines for use in the selection, positioning, orientation, and scaling of border pattern segments  111 . 
         [0052]    Referring further also to  FIGS. 2-8 , although the outside margin line  82  and the inside margin line  84  shown in the drawings are illustrated as straight lines that are uniformly spaced from each other and uniformly spaced from the fabric article periphery  2 , the outside border zone line  8  and the inside border zone line  3 , the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the user, through interaction with the actuator, to establish an outside margin line  82  or an inside margin line  84 , or both, that vary in position and alignment relative to any or all of the fabric article periphery  2 , the outside border zone line  8  and the inside border zone line  3 . Similarly, the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for the user, through interaction with the actuator, to establish an outside border zone line  8  or an inside border zone line  3 , or both, that vary in position and alignment with respect to the fabric article periphery  2 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an alternative embodiment of a final border pattern  119  and a final border stitching pattern  121  of a fabric article  1  having two contiguous border zones  5 , a first border zone  151  and a second border zone  153 , having a first final border zone pattern  155  and a second final border zone pattern  157 , and having a first final border zone stitching pattern  159  and a second final border zone stitching pattern  161 , is shown. Other embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for more than two contiguous border zones  5 . Further embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention may provide for two or more border zones  5  that are not contiguous, the first border zone inside boundary line  203  not being aligned with and not being adjacent to the second border zone outside boundary line  205 . For these further embodiments, the two or more border zones  5  may be spaced apart along all or a portion of the proximal boundary lines or may overlap along all or a portion of the proximal boundary lines. These further embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention provide for each respective border zone  5  of the two or more border zones  5  to be independently positioned, with respect to the fabric article periphery  2 , by the user through interaction with the actuator, and for the independent selection, quantity determination, positioning, orientation, sizing and interconnection of border pattern segments  111 , for each of the respective border zones  5 , by the user through interaction with the actuator. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13-14 , illustrations of alternatives for the corner pattern section  211  of the final border pattern  119  other than the use of a border pattern segment  111  that is specifically adapted for use as corner pattern segments  120  as shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 13  illustrates the use of a corner miter pattern  213 . The user may elect, through interaction with the actuator, to utilize a corner miter pattern  213  for one or more of the border pattern corners  215  at the junction of a border pattern top section  221  and a border patter side section  223 . The actuator may then display alternatives for the corner miter pattern  213 , and the user may select a preferred corner miter pattern  213 .  FIG. 14  illustrates the use of a terminated border pattern section  217 , which may be a border pattern top section  221  or a border pattern side section  223 . If the terminated border pattern section  217  is a border pattern top section  221 , the final border pattern  119  does not continue to the adjacent side portion of the fabric article  1 . If the terminated border pattern section  217  is a border pattern side section  223 , the final border pattern  119  does not continue to the adjacent top portion of the fabric article  1 . 
         [0055]    The method and apparatus of the present invention for generating a border pattern is particularly well suited for a quilt. However, the method and apparatus may be utilized equally well for generating a border pattern for other fabric articles such as an embroidery article, which may incorporate a single or multiple fabric layers. 
         [0056]    Methods for keying the final border stitching pattern  121  to the unsewn fabric article  1 , including manually positioning the needle bar or utilizing other position detection mechanisms as described above, will be known to persons skilled in the art. The method and apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 8,515,571 to Bagley for A Method and Apparatus for Automated Segmental Sewing of Over-Sized Sewing Pattern, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, may be adapted for the segmental sewing of the final border stitching pattern  121  of the method and apparatus of the present invention. 
         [0057]    In the following claims, the terms “selecting”, “select”, and “selected”, when used in relation to the terms “border pattern segments” or “pattern segments”, shall be defined to include the determination of the respective quantities of each of the border pattern segments selected by the user for inclusion in the border pattern. 
         [0058]    In view of the disclosures of this specification and the drawings, other embodiments and other variations and modifications of the embodiments described above will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. Therefore, the foregoing is intended to be merely illustrative of the invention and the invention is limited only by the following claims and the doctrine of equivalents.