apparatus and method for retaining a work sheet on a support plate , the plate having opposite major surfaces , the apparatus including a table , a support plate with one or more air passages , and a suction device . the method for retaining the sheet and stitching the sheet including the steps of placing the sheet on one major surface of the supporting plate , folding and inserting an excess of the sheet which overflows one major surface of the plate , between the other major surface of the plate and the table which is positioned adjacent to the other major surface of the plate , sucking air through the one or more passages of the plate so as to retain an inner portion of the sheet supported by one major surface of the plate , on that major surface , and forming stitches on the sheet .