Abstract: There is provided a draping conveyor having a narrow upper margin, a flatwork piece feeding means for feeding sequentially flatwork pieces to a draping station, and flatwork piece engaging means for engaging the flatwork piece at the draping station and pushing a portion thereof over the top of the narrow margin of the conveyor as the feeding means continues to operate, so the flatwork piece is draped over the conveyor with a fold located on one side thereof and the confronting portions thereof extending from the fold depending and both exposed on the other side of the conveyor. The draping conveyor is moved first to a sewing station on the opposite sides of which sewing machines are positioned so operators can readily grasp the exposed end portions of the flatwork piece delivered thereto and apply the same to their sewing machines simultaneously.