Abstract: An automatic apparatus and method for forming a V-top shirt pocket or similar article with a folded region, sewing a stitch to hold the fold, and stacking a plurality of same with distributed hem build-up. An unfolded ply of material is provided to a folding station, which forms a tucked edge fold in the material. The ply is then held at the tucked edge, and the opposite end is folded over a folding rod with an air jet. Holding fingers descend to hold the fold in the ply. A transport carriage arrives at the folding station to retrieve the folded, edge-tucked ply. The transport carriage includes a clamp, which clamps on the folded, edge-tucked ply to hold the fold and edge tuck as the folding station elements retract. The transport carriage carries the folded, edge-tucked held ply through a sewing station in synchronization with a sewing machine, where a V-shaped hem is sewn.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating, separating, and removing a single ply of material from a stack of plies including pickup fingers for lifting a peripheral edge of the topmost ply in the stack with adhesive tape, a spin off assembly for removing clinging plies from the lifted edge of the topmost ply, grasping fingers for engaging and hold the isolated ply, and a separator assembly for positively separating the topmost ply by indexing a separator rod into the gap between the uplifted peripheral edge of the topmost ply and the remaining plies and along the stack. The isolated topmost ply is removed by withdrawing the grasping fingers away from the stack. There is also disclosed an alignment apparatus including a plurality of alignment fingers which define a relatively wide ply-receiving portion and an edge stop which prevents climbing of the edge of the ply.