Abstract: An embroidery machine having a stationary stitching free arm, a pattern transfer element, and a frame having an edge and adapted to hold a workpiece to be embroidered, is used with a holding system having a support coupled longitudinally to the transfer element and movable on the frame in a longitudinal direction relative to the station. A pair of outer wheels on the support flanking the station are rotatable about respective axes generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. A center wheel on the support vertically offset from and generally between the outer wheels is rotatable about a respective axis generally parallel to the longitudinal direction. The frame edge can be engaged on one side by the outer wheels and on the other side by the center wheel to hold it in the station. A drive rotates one of the wheels, normally the center wheel, and thereby displaces the workpiece and frame held by the wheels in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.