A relatively long needle (22) is supported at the lower end of a needle bar (28). The needle bar (28) and needle (22) are moved up and down and forwardly and rearwardly. The needle bar (28) and needle (22) are moved forwardly while they are in materials (M) which are being sewed together, to in that manner advance the materials (M) stitch by stitch. The materials (M) are supported on a bed (10) which includes a slot (20) which is elongated in the direction of the stitch path. The needle (22) is received in the slot (22). A side boundary of the slot (20) provides a side guide surface (84) which is contiguous a first side of the needle (22). An upper thread (76) extends downwardly from a thread guide (110) into a side groove (86) in the first side of the needle (22), to and through a needle eye (80). A recess (82) is formed in the second side of the needle (22) above the needle eye (80). Following downward movement of the needle (22) through the materials (M), the needle (22) is moved upwardly. The first upward movement of needle (22) forms a loop (76') in the upper thread (76) laterally adjacent the recess (82). A shuttle hook moves along a path which includes the recess (82) and engages the loop (76') and moves the loop into a knot forming engagement with a lower thread (78). The side guide surface (84) prevents sideways deflection of the needle (22) away from the shuttle hook at a time when a presser foot component (32) is lifted to take pressure off of the materials (M) and allow the needle (22) to advance the materials (M) forwardly.