Provided herein are compositions and methods for modifying a predetermined nucleic acid sequence. A programmable nucleoprotein molecular complex containing a polypeptide moiety and a specificity conferring nucleic acid (SCNA) which assembles in-vivo, in a target cell, and is capable of interacting with the predetermined target nucleic acid sequence is provided. The programmable nucleoprotein molecular complex is capable of specifically modifying and/or editing a target site within the target nucleic acid sequence and/or modifying the function of the target nucleic acid sequence.

The invention provides diagnostic and therapeutic targets for pulmonary disease, in particular, fibrotic lung disease. The inventors have found that a genetic variant MUC5B gene is associated with increased expression of the gene, increased risk of developing a pulmonary disease, and an improved prognosis and survival among those developing the pulmonary disease.

This invention relates to novel monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the alpha-folate receptor. In some embodiments, the antibodies inhibit a biological activity of folate receptor-α (FR-α). The antibodies are useful in the treatment of certain cancers, particularly cancers that have increased cell surface expression of the alpha-folate receptor (“FR-α”), such as ovarian, breast, renal, colorectal, lung, endometrial, or brain cancer. The invention also relates to cells expressing the monoclonal antibodies, antibody derivatives, such as chimeric and humanized monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments, and methods of detecting and treating cancer using the antibodies, derivatives, and fragments.

The present invention provides methods for assessing whether a subject is at risk of developing a neurological disorder, diagnosing or confirming whether a subject is afflicted with a neurological disorder, assessing whether PD has progressed in a subject afflicted with PD, assessing whether a neurological disorder is developing in a subject who has been identified as being at risk of developing the neurological disorder, assessing whether a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder is likely to benefit from a therapy, assessing whether a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder has benefited from a therapy, treating a subject afflicted with a neurological disorder, and prophylactically treating a subject who has been identified as being at risk of developing a neurological disorder. The present invention also provides epitopes, compounds and compositions relating to these methods.

A button assembly apparatus including a die assembly having two die members movable between an open and closed position. The die members include means for applying a covering on a button shell upon closing of the die members. Upon closing the die members a second time, selectively positionable means render the die members suitable for assembling the covered shell to a body member to complete the button.

Apparatus for the manufacture of a laminated button comprising a metallic backing plate having a transverse peripheral edge and an outwardly extending flange, an illustrated paper sheet and a protective acetate covering. The apparatus comprises a pneumatically operated press which receives the plate, illustrated sheet and covering, and, with a single downward movement, causes the sheet to conform to the plate and be crimped between the transverse edge and flange.

A method for fabrication of a relatively low cost display or communicative novelty button in which a consumable restrictor sheet is placed over a vacuum draw type female mold cavity. The restrictor sheet may be of cardboard and be apertured with a diameter smaller than the mold cavity diameter. A thermoplastic sheet material is then placed over the restrictor sheet, heated to reach a formable state and vacuum drawn through the restricted aperture and down so that the sheet comes into contact with and generally conforms to the desired shape defined by the mold cavity. The plastic sheet material may then be trimmed near the edge of the restrictor sheet to leave a button shell mounted on a restrictor sheet which may then be used for purposes of display. The restrictor sheet also enables fabrication with an inwardly facing peripheral groove that may be used to secure a pin fastener. An alternate form of fastener in which a portion of the remaining plastic sheet is used is also disclosed.

An improved method of forming and assembling two-part merchandise display hooks, including new design features of the hook itself, enable two-part hooks to be manufactured and assembled at extremely low cost. Wire from a continuous length is gripped and bent to form the outer portion of the hook. The wire is then severed and bent in a single operation to form a hook-mounting portion. While the severed wire remains gripped by its shaped outer end, a preoriented and guided base member is applied over the just-formed mounting portion of the wire. A retractable bend-forming member is withdrawn when the base member is applied to the wire, to enable the bent portion to be fully received within the plastic base. Major manufacturing economies are realized.

A device is disclosed for pressing objects by lifting the objects into a waiting pressing shaft. The shaft includes a forming element at its lower end for forming the object, and the shaft is engaged by its upper end through a pivot member to an air cylinder in a manner which provides a force advantage to the air cylinder. Also, a system for pressing objects is disclosed, in which the press device is employed in conjunction with a turntable for sequential and continuous pressing operations.

A universal assembly machine manufactures conventional buttons with formed backs. The machine comprises a rotatably indexable die table to which are mounted pickup and crimp dies. The die table indexes about a center column of the machine frame. A ram die is advancable and retractable in a pickup stroke and a crimp stroke by means of a handle. The ram die includes a ram outer ring that is rotatable by means of a shifter post joined to the die table. Indexing the die table causes the shifter post to rotate the ram outer ring into a pickup mode or a crimp mode to suit the ram pickup and crimp strokes, respectively. The universal assembly machine also manufactures buttons with flat backs by using a different crimp die pedestal than is used with the formed backs. An adapter on the crimp die pedestal used with formed backs allows that crimp die pedestal to also be used for manufacturing buttons with flat backs. The invention also embraces button medallions. A flat back button is loaded into the pickup die, and the die table is indexed. The ram die is advanced in a third press stroke to bend the shell frusto-conical wall of the flat back button inwardly to be flat and parallel to the flat back.

Disclosed is a wireless surround sound speaker system wherein a transmitter broadcasts a variety of FM signals that correspond to the individual speaker channels commonly found in a surround sound system. Receivers, individually equipped with signal receiving, conditioning and amplification components, are configured to receive any one of the broadcast signals in a remote location and are used to drive a conventional loudspeaker in that location. Powered by wall socket or via DC battery packs, the receivers, used in conjunction with the transmitter, provide surround sound capabilities without the need for complex and difficult wiring.

A button system and method of manufacturing the same are provided for identifying fiber from which an article of apparel is manufactured. Initially, an article of apparel manufactured with a predetermined fiber is identified. Next, indicia indicative of the predetermined fiber is selected. Next, at least one button is manufactured with the indicia thereon for identifying the fiber from which the article of apparel is manufactured.

A button, knob or control key with an etchable support plate which is engraved on the backside with a fine symbol by laser, erosion or mechanical engraving, which only cuts into the material of the support plate, but not through the support plate. The backside of the support plate is optionally coated. A foil is applied on the laminated layer and affixed thereto. The front side of the support plate is treated with a material-removing substance. The material removal with the material-removing substance is performed until the engraving extending into the support plate is at least partially or completely exposed on the front side. Application of a protective layer to the front side of the support plate from which the material was removed. A function symbol is provided on the button such that it can be backlit. It is engraved in a fine line width providing a sharp optical definition erosion, mechanical engraving.

A mounting device, for mounting a plurality of buttons on a product, includes a supporting member, a punching member, and a driving member The supporting member includes a supporting panel, a plurality of holding portions fixed on the supporting panel for supporting the product, a molding board having a plurality of molding holes a platform, and a base fixed on the platform for supporting the molding board. The punching member includes a retaining member positioned above the supporting member, and a plurality of cutters fixed to the retaining member The cutters cut the buttons off a button assembly, and couple to a vacuum generator for creating suction to hold the buttons. The driving member drives the punching member to mount the buttons on the product.

A soy protein product having a protein content of at least 60 wt % (N×6.25) d.b., preferably an isolate having a protein content of at least about 90 wt % (N×6.25) d.b., is formed from the supernatant from the precipitation of a soy protein micellar mass. A calcium salt or other divalent salt is added to the supernatant, before concentration, after initial concentration or after final concentration, to provide a conductivity of about 2 to about 30 mS. Precipitate is removed from the resulting solution and the pH of the clear soy protein solution is optionally adjusted to about 1.5 to about 4.4. The optionally pH-adjusted clear solution is concentrated to a concentration of about 50 to about 400 g/L and the clear concentrated protein solution is optionally diafiltered prior to drying. The soy protein product is soluble in acidic media and produces transparent, heat stable solutions at low pH values and, therefore, may be used for protein fortification of soft drinks and sports drinks.

A method for removing 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) from solution may include contacting an alkaline earth metal silicate with a solution containing 4-MEI and adsorbing at least some of the 4-MEI using the alkaline earth metal silicate. The method may further include removing at least some of the alkaline earth metal silicate having the adsorbed 4-MEI from the solution. The alkaline earth metal silicate may include magnesium silicate or calcium silicate. A method for removing 4-MEI from solution may include contacting an adsorbent clay material with a solution containing 4-MEI and adsorbing at least some of the 4-MEI using the adsorbent clay material. The method may further include removing at least some of the adsorbent clay material having the adsorbed 4-MEI from the solution. The adsorbent clay material may include smectite, bentonite, or an activated or un-activated AOCS day material.

Rebaudioside M compositions with improved aqueous solubility and methods for preparing the same are provided herein. The rebaudioside M compositions include (i) disordered crystalline compositions comprising rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D, (ii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and steviol glycoside mixtures and/or rebaudioside B and/or NSF-02, (iii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and at least one surfactant, polymer, saponin, carbohydrate, polyol, preservative or a combination thereof. Sweetened compositions, such a beverages, containing the rebaudioside M compositions with improved water solubility are also provided herein.

The object of the present invention is to provide a soy sauce with a pH of less than 4.6, which has reduced acidic taste and acidic odor and improved umami in the aftertaste. The soy sauce with a pH of less than 4.6, which has reduced acidic taste and acidic odor and improved umami in the aftertaste can be obtained by adjusting the ethyl lactate concentration per 1 w/v % of total nitrogen concentration in the soy sauce to 20 ppm or more.

Gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions for female or male infants up to 1 month of age wherein, the concentration of alanine, and/or histidine, and/or isoleucine, and/or proline, and/or valine is adapted based on that found in HM produced for an infant of the same gender and age, and nutritional systems comprising them.

A grill accessory creates a steaming chamber on a grill that has a heat source and a rack of spaced-apart bars over the heat source. The grill accessory includes a cover configured that covers a food item and forms a steaming region below the cover. The cover operates in connection with a vapor generator that receives and holds fluid beneath the cover. The vapor generator has at least one vent opening to release steam into the steaming chamber. The grill accessory is configured so that it can rest upon the grill rack of spaced-apart bars, and so that the vapor generator transmits heat to the fluid in the vapor generator to convert the fluid to steam. The vapor generator releases the steam through the vent opening(s) into the steaming region below the cover. The steam can help melt toppings and/or introduce moisture into food items cooked on the grill.

Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide systems and methods for creating a pressed food item in an oven cooking cavity. The oven system is secured within the oven cooking cavity and is not dependent upon oven door movement or any other oven function. An upper platen is configured to move up and down with respect to a lower platen in order to press a food item during the cooking process. The lower platen is generally secured with respect to the oven interior, whether to a jet plate, to an oven wall, or to a frame that is secured within the oven. The upper platen moves along a vertical support system. When the oven system is not in use to create a pressed food item, the upper platen can remain in a lowered position so that the oven may be used without the pressing features described.

Easy open flow wrappers are provided that include a flexible wrapper body formed from a flexible wrapper body film, the flexible wrapper body having a front panel and a back panel sealed together along one longitudinal seam and two lateral end seams containing a product therein. At least one line of weakness (24) substantially extends around a portion of the flexible wrapper body to define a removable portion (28) of the flexible wrapper body, such that application of a separation force upon the removable portion separates the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body at the at least one line of weakness and forms an opening in the flexible wrapper body. A flexible film member (26) is disposed over and extending beyond the at least one line of weakness, in which the flexible film member is configured to prevent pre-separation of the removable portion from the flexible wrapper body.

The invention concerns a sweetened dairy product comprising a dairy material, at least one steviol glycoside, at least one additive selected from a polysaccharide of fructose units and a salt.

This disclosure describes a simple, low cost method to produce a modular dry mix that can easily be modified and customized to produce a wide range of easy to aerate, no ice cream machine needed, ice cream and frozen dairy and non-dairy desserts and products made by this process. The method relies on successive simultaneous particle size reduction and blending steps without the use of traditional mix drying operations. The formulations produced by this process are modular and allow quick and simple ingredient substitutions to create distinct finished products. The process yields mixes that produce stronger, more stable foams that don't leave an oily mouth feel. The disclosure also includes a formulation and process used to make ice cream, and related frozen dairy and non-dairy desserts at room temperature in one step where the ingredients do not need to be aged, or homogenized, and aeration occurs without the need for simultaneous cooling or freezing. The process allows the end-user to control and vary the texture, freezing rate, melting point and eating qualities of the product without the use of traditional, home or industrial ice cream machines and a product made by this process. A product produced from this mix consists of a (protein-concentrate and emulsifier)—stabilized, protein-based foam created by combining a powder mix with one or a combination of a large range of above freezing temp liquids then immediately whisking the mixture at room temp to a target overrun without pre-aging, and then freezing that product statically till desired hardness is achieved. The main execution of this process involves the use of dry powders that are transported and sold dry and then reconstituted by the end user before they are combined without pre-treatment, freezing homogenization or aging. The manufacturing process offers significant advantages over current dry mix production methods which require significant upfront investment and produce hard to customize mixes. The formulation and finished product making portions of the invention offer significant improvement over existing manufacturing methods for frozen desserts and dessert mixes that require simultaneous freezing and aeration in terms of cost, convenience, customizability, shelf-stability and environmental impact.

A formulation consisting of a food-grade dye and a plant aroma cocktail is uptaken by plants and flowers and fruit. The improved aroma profile and color make the plant or it's flowers or it's fruit more desirable for consumption or viewing with an enhanced aroma.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing irregular pieces of meat from meat products. Further, a method of mass-producing a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance includes combining whole muscle meat with a mixture having a low-phosphate solution and/or a low-salt solution and cooking the combination to produce whole muscle meat logs. Once the whole muscle meat has been cooked, the meat may be pulled, shredded, or sliced on a variety of pulling, shredding, and slicing equipment to create a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance.

Disclosed are methods for making a baby food purée, such as a sweet potato purée, by employing a recipe management system that uses the steps of cold extraction followed immediately by cold deaeration to produce an all-natural baby food purée. The processes disclosed herein eliminate the need for addition of exogenous enzymes, preservatives or anti-oxidants, while further obviating any requirement for blanching vegetable ingredients. Also contained in the present disclosure are methods and systems for generating purees from one or more starting ingredients.

Gender specific synthetic nutritional compositions for infants up to 1 month of age wherein, the total protein content is adapted based on that found in HM produced for infants of the same gender and age, and nutritional systems comprising them.

Inhibition of expansion of a cereal product, such as a ready-to-eat cereal, by a particulate insoluble component such as fiber and/or calcium is avoided by pelletizing the particulate insoluble component. A binder component, such as gelatinized starch, is used to bind particles of the particulate insoluble component into a coherent mass which is formed into non-expanded pellets for fortification of the cereal product. The expanded cereal products, such as extruded puffed RTE cereals which contain the pellets, exhibit a crisp, uniform texture and cell structure, improved, prolonged bowl life, a non-gritty mouthfeel, and a smooth, uniform surface appearance even though they are fortified with high amounts of the solid or particulate insoluble nutritional components.

Disclosed herein is a nutrient delivery system that provides a nutritional formula for consumption. The nutrient delivery system includes a pod and a nutritional powder comprising at least one phospholipid. The nutritional formula has improved characteristics, such as decreased foaming.

A brewing system includes a brewing apparatus and a capsule containing a substance for brewing. The capsule has an opening on one side and a base on an opposite side. The base includes a light input surface, a light-output surface and a light conductor to conduct light from the light input surface to the light output surface. The apparatus includes: a brewing chamber including an inlet for heated water, an outlet for the brewed beverage, and an opening in communication with the opening of the capsule. A light source on the brewing apparatus emits light into the base via the light inlet surface of the capsule. The light conductor conducts the light to the light-output surface. A light detector of the brewing apparatus detects light emitted by light-output surface on the base of the capsule. A method of operating the brewing system and a capsule system are also described.

A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage. The cartridge may include a unique identifier to track a set of beverage characteristics associated with the contents of the cartridge and the beverage. The container may capture the unique identifier of the cartridge associated with the set of beverage characteristics and transfer the set of beverage characteristics over a wireless network to a computing device or network.

A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The capsule includes a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a flexible sheet-shaped third wall closing the circumferential first wall at a second, open, end opposite the second wall, the third wall being at least one of perforate and porous. The first, second and third wall enclose an inner space including the extractable product. The third wall forms an outermost boundary of the capsule in an axial direction thereof. The third wall includes a filtering material. The second wall is one of a flexible porous sheet, a flexible foil provided with a plurality of entrance openings, and a substantially rigid wall that comprises a plurality of entrance openings.

Barley based beverages are produced in large quantities, employing highly energy consuming methods, for example in the malting and brewhouse facilities for kiln drying and wort boiling operations, respectively. The present invention relates to energy saving methods for preparing barley based beverages, as well as to barley plants useful in such methods. In particular, the invention describes barley plants with combined traits of null-lipoxygenase-1 (null-LOX-1), null-lipoxygenase-2 (null-LOX-2) and null-S-adenosylmethionine:methionine S-methyltransferase in one plant, which is particularly useful for energy saving methods to prepare barley based beverages, such as beer.

It has unexpectedly been found that Pichia spp. strains have advantageous properties useful in the beer fermentation process. In particular, Pichia spp. yeast strains can be combined with normal beer yeast strains and different hop varieties in a fermentation process to produce synergistic effects—namely, the increased production of esters in the fermentation product. More specifically, the yeast can be used to produce increased levels of isoamyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl valerate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl decanoate and ethyl octanoate in beer. In addition, the Pichia spp. strain interacts differently with different hop varieties, so the flavor profile of beer can be tuned by using different combinations of Pichia spp. strains and hops. The present invention relates to a method of brewing beer using a Pichia spp. yeast strain and at least one hop variety, a beer obtainable by such a method and use of a Pichia spp. yeast strain according to the present invention.

The present invention is directed to recombinant thraustochytrids that grow on sucrose and cell cultures comprising the recombinant thraustochytrids as well as methods of producing cell cultures, biomasses, microbial oils, compositions, and biofuels using the recombinant thraustochytrids.

Hand pliers for assembly purposes includes an assembly limb and a handle limb rotatably connected to one another via a first link joint. The handle limb is divided into an off-handle lever and a handle-near lever and these two levers are rotatably connected to one another by a bolt via a second link joint, wherein a tension wheel and a ratchet wheel with external toothing connected torsionally proof to it are pivotably arranged on the bolt side by side in axial direction, and the tension wheel engages into a tension device that connects both handle limbs to one another, and a spring-loaded dog ratchet is arranged at the handle-near lever, engaging into the ratchet wheel in such a manner that when the handle-near lever makes a latching movement it permits a rotation of the ratchet wheel on closing the pliers, but prevents its rotation in the opposite direction.

A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.

An adaptor tool comprises a locking pin removably engaged with a main body defining a hook portion. The main body is configured to pivot about a pivot pin. The adaptor tool further includes a first link having first and second ends, and a first contact face. The first link is configured to receive the locking pin. A second link includes first and second ends, and a second contact face. The second link is pivotally coupled to the main body via the pivot pin. At least a third link includes first and second ends, and a third contact face. The first, second, and at least third links are pivotally coupled end-to-end such that the first, second, and third contact faces define a circular opening. The circular opening is configured to receive a workpiece such that rotational force applied to the main body rotates the adaptor tool and the workpiece.

A method for assembling a structure is described. The method includes locating a position in an assembly stack-up where a one-sided fastener is to be installed, drilling a hole through the assembly stack-up at the position, countersinking the hole to a specified depth, operating a calibrated probe to determine at least parameter associated with one or more of the hole and the stack-up proximate the hole, inserting the one-sided fastener into the hole, applying a rotational torque to the one-sided fastener to complete installation of the one-sided fastener, and comparing a measurement of angular displacement required to complete installation of the one-sided fastener to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct installation of the fastener.

A safety tool is specifically adapted to aid in opening hinged rear doors of industrial containers safely, while also ensuring that the operator of the safety tool remain outside the potential zone of danger whenever the rear door has the potential to swing open. The present safety tool not only provides convenience and leverage for commonly performed door opening procedures, but also ensures that the operator's body and hands remain safely distanced from the direction of door travel and the potential discharge path of material contained within the cargo box. In addition, the present safety tool is lightweight and compact, allowing the tool to be easily stowed in or around a cargo box and/or truck to and thereby ensure that the safety tool is available whenever it may be needed to aid in opening and/or closing the cargo box door.

A method, system, and apparatus for holding a connecting instrument comprises a first member including a first finger cup and a first needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the finger cup and a second member comprising a second finger cup and a second needle nose tip formed on the forward end of the second finger cup wherein the first needle nose tip and the second needle nose tip are configured to grip a connecting device as it is being driven into a target.

Pressurized gas for carrying looper thread by gas is generated by gas supply pump operated by changing over a sewing-machine motor, which drives stitch forming device, looper threading is performed through loopers by one-touch operation. Gas carrying threading device of sewing machine, comprising: looper thread introduction mechanism inserts looper thread guided to loopers; hollow looper thread guide extends from looper thread introduction mechanism to looper thread inlets and has looper thread guide outlets; gas supply pump for performing looper threading by carrying looper thread by gas from looper thread introduction area through hollow looper thread guide to looper thread loop-taker point outlets; clutch for transmitting power from sewing machine motor M to drive shaft which drives stitch forming device including loopers at time of stitch formation or to gas supply pump at time of looper threading.

An apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, instruct the processor to perform processes including acquiring pattern data, specifying an outline of the embroidery pattern based on the pattern data, creating hole data for causing the sewing machine to form a plurality of holes including one or more first holes and one or more second holes, creating first stitch data for causing the sewing machine to sew one or more stitches for the one or more first holes, and creating embroidery data for causing the sewing machine to form one or more first holes, and sew the one or more stitches for the one or more first holes, and causing the sewing machine to form the one or more second holes, before causing the sewing machine to sew an outline pattern.

A sewing machine accessory includes a plate for attaching to a sewing machine workbed and to be located below a needle, the plate includes an opening and a guiding track, and a positioning device includes a sliding member slidably engaged with the guiding track of the accessory plate, and a pointed member extended from the sliding member for engaging with a cloth material to be stitched and for forming of an arced stitch on the cloth material, and the pointed member is movable close to the needle for stitching or forming a circular or arced stitch that includes a relatively decreased or smaller outer diameter.

A composite material includes a composite body having a composite surface, and a reinforcing element extending through the composite body in a first plurality of stitches and a second plurality of stitches. The first plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially similarly to each other. The second plurality of stitches are aligned relative to the composite surface substantially dissimilarly to each other.

One example includes a body formed of body fabric, the body defining a body pocket opening, a body pocket disposed in an interior of the body and coupled to the body pocket opening and body plush disposed in the interior of the body, between the body pocket and the body fabric. The example includes a head formed of head fabric, the head having a posterior portion of the head coupled to the body at an anterior portion of the body, the head defining a head pocket opening disposed on an anterior portion of the head, a head pocket disposed in an interior of the head and coupled to the head pocket opening and head plush disposed in the interior of the head, between the head pocket and the head fabric. The example includes at least one pair of legs formed of leg fabric and fastened to the body.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for embellishing fabric. In accordance with embodiments, a stitching system for a sewing machine is provided comprising a processor configured to control the sewing machine and a user interface configured to receive a stitch selection corresponding to a set of commands executable by the processor to instruct the sewing machine to sew the stitch selection. The set of commands may comprise a first command to sew a first portion of the stitch selection, a second command to stop sewing after completion of the first portion, and a third command to sew a second portion of the stitch selection after completion of the second command. The systems and methods of the present invention may advantageously allow an operator to create a running sequence of perfectly replicated embellishments.

Systems and methods for creating quilt blocks are provided. In one embodiment, a method for creating a quilt block with a computerized embroidery machine includes sewing placement stitching on a backing according to a placement stitching pattern provided by instructions for at least partially creating a quilt block comprised of one or more pieces, providing directions for placing one or more pieces of the quilt block on a corresponding portion of the placement stitching on the backing, and sewing the one or more pieces to the backing in accordance with the instructions.