Abstract: A apparatus for high speed attachment of a cord to a piece of receiving material is characterized by one or more pins which engage the cord, pierce the receiving material and draw the cord through the receiving material from the first side to a second side thereof so that an open loop is formed in the cord on the second side of the receiving material. The pins may be implemented as a push pin and a spreader pin pairs movably mounted relative to each other and each of which are adapted to grasp the cord and penetrate the receiving material. The loop(s) are formed as the push pin and spreader pin move relative to each other. The apparatus further comprises a floating shuttle, not attached to the frame of the apparatus but supported by a series of gear assemblies, which moves relative to the pins and engages an end portion of the cord, drawing the cord through the open loop so as to complete the lacing stitch of the cord through the receiving material.