A sewing station comprises a table 12 having a generally planar section, a work holder 14 for receiving and manipulating a fabric workpiece having a central seam, means mounting the work holder above the table section for movement between a position juxtaposed to the table and a position spaced from the table, a sewing head 16 having a reciprocable sewing needle defining a sewing location on the table, and means 18 for sliding the fabric blank on the table section from the work holder to the sewing location, the work holder comprising
   a die plate 28 expandable from a first retracted position to receive the fabric workpiece and an extended position to stretch the workpiece, the die plate having a leading edge for juxtaposing the central seam of the workpiece and an underside facing the table planar section;
   means 30 mounting the die plate from a first position adjacent the table section and a second elevated position spaced from the table section; and
   means 32 for engaging the workpiece on the underside of the die plate and means for moving the engaging means away from the leading edge of the die plate while pressing against the underside of the die plate for moving the seam of the workpiece under the leading edge of the die plate.