Abstract: A cloth pickup device comprising, first and second elongated jaws. The pickup device has a device for pivotally mounting the jaws about first and second axes substantially parallel to each other and spaced so that the jaws are pivotable from a first position wherein they are in operative clamping position with respect to each other to clamp a piece of cloth therebetween, to a second position wherein they are in an unobstructive open position to allow a piece of cloth to freely pass into a position between the jaws. The pickup device has an overcenter spring device acting directly on the jaws for maintaining the jaws in either the first or second position thereof once moved to that position. The pickup device has a device for moving the jaws from the first position to the second position, and a device for actuating the jaws and moving them from the second position to the first position.