Systems and methods for manufacturing footwear with felting

A needle punching machine comprising:

• a punching bar connected to the needle punching machine and configured to be reciprocated;
• a presser bar connected to the needle punching machine and configured to be locked into a stationary disposition;
• a stitching jig comprising:
• a fixing jig coupled to the punching bar;
• and
• a needle holder having a plurality of sockets, the needle holder comprising:
• an upper surface;
• a lower surface disposed opposite the upper surface;
• a first side wall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface;
• and
• a second side wall extending between the upper surface and the lower surface opposite the first side wall;
• wherein each of the plurality of sockets extends from the upper surface to the lower surface;
• a needle clamp hoop comprising:
• a backing wall configured to abut the upper surface of the needle holder to close off each of the plurality of sockets in the needle holder;
• and
• first and second side flanges extending from the backing wall and configured to engage the first and second side walls of the needle holder;
• a presser foot comprising:
• a lifter coupled to the presser bar;
• and
• a plurality of through-bores configured to align with the plurality of sockets;
• and
• a hook cover plate connected to the needle punching machine opposite the presser foot, the hook cover plate including a plurality of holes configured to align with the plurality of sockets and the plurality of through-bores;
• wherein the needle holder is adjustably positioned within the needle clamp hoop.