a clamping system for a sewing machine used to sew first and second materials together . the clamping system has a plurality of clamps mounted adjacent an opening in a frame . each of the clamps has a stationary member , a movable member and an actuator . the actuator is connected to the movable member and operates to move the movable member in a clamping relationship with the stationary member to clamp the first material in the clamp . the clamp is powered by a cylinder with a linear stroke , and the clamp has a driving member that transfers the linear motion of the cylinder into a pivoting motion of the movable member . further , the movable and fixed members have forward ends shaped so that they hold the first material but do not interfere with a sewing of the first member to the second member .