In recent years, technical developments i sewing machiens have de-emphasized increased speed and automation in favor of increased flexibility and operator control. This trend emerged form the need of manufacturers to respond to customer demands for faster service and high quaity and the popularity of modular manufacturing systems. The use of microprocessor based control systems makes the high degree of machine flexibiltiy possible. Recent sewing machine introductions by Rimoidi, Macpi, Pegasus, Union Special, Juki, J. Davis && Company, Strobel, Pfaff, AMF Reece, Britannic International, Groz-Beckert, and Donisthrope reflect the trend toward machine flexibility.