Abstract: A method is disclosed for converting a lockstitch sewing machine to a machine for decorating fabrics with at least one untwisted strand of keratinous fiber applied in a pattern to the fabric. In general, the method consists of removing the throat plate, feed dog, presser foot, bobbin, bobbin case and needle bar from the lockstitch sewing machine and inserting instead a needle block having means for securing a plurality of standard punching needles therein, a throat plate apertured to correspond with the plural punching needles carried by the needle block, a presser foot apertured to correspond with the spacing of the needles in the needle block whether passage of the punching needles therethrough and a presser foot with a guide passage for the fibrous strand and a feeddog with sufficient clearance for the punching needles carried by the needle block.