Abstract: An embroidery panels holding mechanism and an embroidery panels changing system for an automated embroidery machine are provided. The holding mechanism holds a plurality of panels at predetermined positions corresponding to the positions of the ganged embroidery stations of the embroidery machine. The holding mechanism includes an elongate base plate having an upper face, a plurality of elongate clamp bars extending axially and spaced along the upper face, a mounting device for mounting each the clamp bar for movement toward and away from the upper face, and a spring for biasing each clamp bar against the upper face. A changing table remote from the embroidery machine includes a changing station at which embroidery panels already embroidered are individually exchanged for embroidery panels to be embroidered. This table includes an elongate track on which the base plate is received for movement therealong.