Patent ID: 8348251

Claim:
An apparatus for a sewing operation comprising: a first substantially rigid, elongate member with an oval surface having: a first handling end having a contoured surface; a first clamping end having a tapering width and a length shorter than a length of the first handling end, the first clamping end adapted to slide in a direction away from a stitching point; a first hinge extension located between the first clamping end and the first handling end such that the first hinge extension is a fulcrum about which the first clamping end and the first handling end can pivot; and a recessed divot located in the first clamping end of the first elongate member and extended from the first hinge extension, the recessed divot configured to hold surplus fabric during the sewing operation; wherein the first clamping end has a flat surface from a first tip to the recessed divot; a second substantially rigid, elongate member having: a second handling end; a second clamping end having a tapering width, the second clamping end adapted to slide in a direction away from the stitching point; and a second hinge extension located between the second clamping end and the second handling end such that the second hinge extension is a fulcrum about which the second clamping end and the second handling end can pivot; a pin member coupling the first hinge extension and the second hinge extension; and a spring member having a plurality of annular coils mounted around the pin member, the spring member biasing the first elongate member and the second elongate member so as to secure between the first clamping end and the second clamping end a fabric in an overlapping relationship for the sewing operation.