Abstract: An improvement to a sewing machine which allows ribbons, trim, elastic bands and other linear-shaped materials to be accurately and automatically controlled and guided as they are fed into the sewing mechanism. For elastic, an adjustable control is provided that automatically prestretches the elastic as it feeds into the machine. This control allows the user to adjust the amount of tension in the elastic, and thus control the amount of stretch which is sewn into the finished product. These features are implemented in a hands-free manner, so the operator is not burdened with having to manually guide the materials while simultaneously tending to all the other manual duties that a sewing machine operator must typically contend with. The invention is implemented with one or more guides which can be mounted on the sewing machine foot. Custom feet are provided to allow the invention to be retrofitted onto existing sewing machines.