Abstract: A workpiece holder which is attachable to positioning apparatus associated with the sewing head of an automatic sewing machine whereby the workpiece holder can be automatically positioned with respect to an automatic reciprocating needle in the sewing head so as to allow a workpiece held within the workpiece holder to be sewn. The workpiece holder is adapted to hold cording to be disposed in the workpiece by stitching thereby to give a corded effect to the stitch pattern. The workpiece holder includes a base plate having at least one open stitch area being defined by edges within the base plate and arranged to hold a workpiece to be sewn. At least two rows of posts are disposed on the base plate, each of the rows being disposed adjacent to opposite edges of the stitch area. A cover plate is pivotally attached to the base plate. The cover plate has an open stitch area corresponding in location to the open stitch area on the base plate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for registering and clamping the vamp portion of a boot relative to a flat boot shaft. Each side of the vamp portion of the boot is substantially folded in order to achieve registration with the previously registered and clamped boot shaft. Clamping of each substantially folded side of the vamp occurs in such a manner as to not distort the fold. The folded vamp is otherwise securely clamped so as to permit an automatic join and sew operation with respect to the registered and clamped flat boot shaft.

Abstract: A workpiece holder which is attachable to the positioning apparatus of an automatic sewing machine includes a plurality of sharp pointed pins extending upwardly from a base plate. The workpiece which may comprise one or more individual elastic pieces is mounted on the sharp pointed pins. A cover plate, pivotally attached to the base plate, covers the thus mounted workpiece in such a manner that the sharp pointed pins are shielded from contact with the operator of the sewing machine.