Workpiece fabric holding device for use in sewing machine

Abstract

A workpiece fabric holding or clamping device having a lower plate for holding a major part of the workpiece and a plurality of upper plates movable in a horizontal direction above the lower plate for selectively holding the workpiece in combination with the lower plate. The lower plate is formed with an opening whose area covers at least two sewing loci, and the upper plates are each respectively formed with needle slits having two sides. Each side is provided with downwardly extending fabric clamping portions extending into the opening of the lower plate. Through horizontal movements of the plurality of upper plates, at least two sewing loci are defined by the combination of the needle slits. If the slits are positioned spaced away from each other, an auxiliary pressure plate is positioned in the space to hold the spaced portion of the workpiece. Further, the upper plates are vertically movable. The horizontal movements of the upper plates are performed at ascent positions of the upper plates. In the ascent positions, the upper plates are spaced away from the workpiece while the lower plate continuously holds the workpiece in place.