A small part (42) is automatically lowered, with its front side (76) facing upward, directly onto a main part (43) which is spread out on a worktable (2), the front side (76) of said main part also facing upward. The respective patterns of the main part (43) and the small part (42) are aligned. Then the small part (42) is automatically turned over, whereby it then can be deposited, with its front side (76) facing downward, on a sewing-material clamp (8). The latter transports both the main and small sewing parts, fixed in position, first to the sewing station (68) and then to the cutting station (6).