chain 122 entrained about a sprocket 124 on the countershaft 120 and a sprocket 126 on the main shaft 14 of the machine the cam track 108 is formed with concentric or rest portions 128 disposed at varying radii from the axis of the shaft 112 with active portions 130 intermediate of and smoothly connecting the rest portions 128 the cam 110 is timed such that the stud 106 tracks a concentric portion 128 while the needles are down and will track an active portion 130 when the needles are withdrawn when the stud is in cooperation with the concentric portion 128 no motion is imparted thereto and the needle plate 32 is thus at rest when the stud 106 is moved by an active portion 130 which is while the needles are withdrawn the needle plate 32 is shifted laterally to a new position determined by a rest portion 128 which the studs 106 then tracks the increment of motion imparted to the needle plate 32 by the active portions 130 of the cam track 108 is a multiple of and preferably to insure responsiveness of mechanism equal to the spacing between the fingers 34 so that the needles 28 will always descend between the fingers as disclosed in the aforesaid u s pat no 3 301 205 a presser foot 132 is carried by the head 12 to not only act to prevent the backing fabric b from following the fabric as the needles are withdrawn but also functions to hold the.