Disclosed are an embroidery fabric clamping unit for use with an embroidery machine, and an embroidery machine comprising the same, which allow the embroidering of even embroidery fabrics of arbitrary shape. The embroidery fabric clamping unit comprises: a unit body having a joining part provided for attachment to and detachment from a work table of the embroidery machine; an embroidery fabric support table which is linked to the unit body and supports the embroidery fabric to be embroidered by the embroidery machine; a lever which is supported on the unit body, with the embroidery fabric placed in between, and is able to apply pressure to and release pressure from the embroidery fabric support table; and a lever driving part for driving the lever.