pushed is taken into account only during the residual seam stitch nre the number of residual seam stitches nr to be formed with unchanged stitch length s and the length sb of the residual seam end stitch nre are now calculated by the computer 18 as a function of the residual seam length 1 and the stitch length s set originally the length sb of the residual seam end stitch nre now forms the desired stitch length necessary for ending the seam b 1 exactly at point e to compensate the offset path of the feed dog 7 and the needle 5 which arises during the adjustment of the stitch regulating device 8 the computer 18 calculates from this moreover the value sen to be actually set according to the formula sea old stitch length set this corresponds to the original stitch length s in this seam end variant this means that the stitch regulating device 8 must be set to the value u2212 2 mm i e to a reverse stitch of 2 mm by means of the stepping motor 11 during the return phase of the feed means 5 7 if this has thus happened the feed mechanism 6 performs a forwardly directed feed motion over a length of 1 mm to form the residual seam end stitch nre as it corresponds to the necessary desired stitch length sb fig6 shows this situation on the basis of the movement path of the needle 5 after completion.