a holder 14 for receiving and manipulating fabric workpieces a sewing head 16 means 18 for sliding the fabric blanks from the holder 14 toward the sewing head 16 and a digital controller not shown for energizing the various components of the machine 10 at the appropriate times the work table 12 includes a smooth planar table section 20 which is stainless steel or the like so it remains smooth for a substantial period the holder 14 comprises a cast support 22 mounted on pins 24 and providing a pair of pins 26 mounting a die plate assembly 28 for vertical movement relative to the table 12 an air cylinder 30 moves the die plate assembly 28 vertically on command from a lower position adjacent the table top 20 to an elevated position the die plate assembly 28 includes a base 32 comprising a stationary section 34 and a movable section 36 mounted for movement by a gross adjusting device 38 to adjust the spacing between the sections 34 36 and thereby alter the size of the workpiece received on the die plate 40 the adjusting device 38 may be of any suitable type the die plate 40 comprises a section 42 rigid with the section 34 and.