Guidance clamp for sewing

Abstract

A guidance clamp for sewing includes a first half, a second half, and a central fold or hinge between the first and second halves and hingedly interconnecting the first and second halves to one another. In one form, at least one magnetic coupling element is provided with each half such that the halves can be coupled together. Typically, one or more fabrics can be clamped between the first and second halves.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A magnetic guidance clamp comprising:
 a first half, the first half comprising at least one magnetic coupling element;   a second half, the second half comprising at least one magnetic coupling element; and   a hinge disposed between the first and second halves for allowing movement of the halves relative to one another, wherein movement of one of the halves proximal to the other half causes magnetic attraction between the magnetic coupling elements and through an intermediate material, the magnetic coupling elements comprising a sufficient magnetic attractive force to hold the first and second halves together and retain the intermediate material therebetween while sewing through the intermediate material.   
     
     
         2 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate material comprises one or more fabrics. 
     
     
         3 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more fabrics can be coupled or sandwiched between the first and second halves when the same are releasably coupled together by the magnetic attractive force provided by the magnetic coupling elements. 
     
     
         4 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the first half comprises a first edge and the second half comprise a second edge such that the one or more edges of the halves provide guidance when stitching through the one or more fabrics and/or when cutting the one or more fabrics. 
     
     
         5 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic coupling elements of the first and second halves are permanent magnets. 
     
     
         6 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic coupling elements of the first and second halves comprise a combination of a permanent magnet and magnetically attracted element. 
     
     
         7 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second halves are generally rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second halves are generally semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         9 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second halves are generally diamond-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The magnetic guidance clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second halves are generally rectangular in shape, and wherein at least one of the corners is radiused. 
     
     
         11 . A guidance clamp for cutting and/or sewing comprising:
 a first half;   a second half; and   a hinge formed between the first half and second half such that the first half and second half can move relative to one another, wherein in an open, unfolded configuration the first and second halves are generally adjacent one another without any contact therebetween, and wherein in a closed, folded configuration the first and second halves are generally positioned atop each other such that an intermediate material is clamped therebetween.   
     
     
         12 . The guidance clamp of  claim 11 , wherein the intermediate material comprises one or more fabrics. 
     
     
         13 . The guidance clamp of  claim 11 , wherein a clamping force is provided to hold the first and second halves together such that the intermediate material is clamped therebetween. 
     
     
         14 . The guidance clamp of  claim 13 , wherein the clamping force is provided by at least one hand of a user grasping the first and second halves and pressing them together. 
     
     
         15 . The guidance clamp of  claim 13 , wherein the clamping force is provided by magnetic attraction between the first and second halves, the first half comprising at least one first magnetic coupling element and the second half comprising at least one second magnetic coupling element or at least one magnetically attracted material. 
     
     
         16 . The guidance clamp of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one first magnetic coupling element of the first half and the at least one second magnetic coupling element or magnetically attracted material of the second half comprise a sufficient magnetic attractive force to hold the first and second halves together and retain the intermediate material therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The guidance clamp of  claim 13 , wherein the clamping force is provided by at least one spring or movable clamp. 
     
     
         18 . The guidance clamp of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one spring or movable clamp is configured for movement between an open, unclamped configuration and a closed, clamped configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The guidance clamp of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one spring or movable clamp is movably mounted to at least one of the halves of the guidance clamps for movement between the open, unclamped configuration and the closed, clamped configuration, and whereby in the open, unclamped configuration the first and second halves are at least spaced apart such that the intermediate material can be positioned therebetween, and wherein in the closed, clamped configuration the first and second halves are forced together such that the intermediate material is clamped therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . A method of releasably holding one or more pieces of fabric together comprising:
 providing a magnetic holder comprising a first half having at least one first magnetic coupling element and a second half having at least one second magnetic coupling element;   providing one or more pieces of fabric;   positioning at least a portion of the one or more pieces of fabric between the first and second halves; and   closing the magnetic holder such that the magnetic coupling elements attract to one another and releasably hold the one or more pieces of fabric between the first and second halves.