In the automation of work operations in the manufacture of apparel, devices for picking up flat workpieces such as fabric pattern pieces comprise a plurality of magazine stations, at each of which is disposed a respective stack of workpieces, and a delivery station arranged in a row with the magazine stations. Each magazine station is assigned a respective separating device which lifts only the uppermost workpiece in the respective workpiece stack on the side thereof facing the delivery station. A foil-like carrier, moved linearly through the stations, travels at a magazine station between the workpiece stack and the workpiece which is lifted on one side and during this travel peels off the workpiece from the workpiece stack.