Manipulating fabric items using a roller

A method of joining fabric items comprising:

• engaging a first fabric item with a rotating roller while the first fabric item is positioned on a work surface;
• applying a vacuum through apertures in a circumference of the roller to attach a portion of the first fabric item to the circumference;
• traversing the roller across the first fabric item while rotating the roller, thereby lifting a lifted portion of the first fabric item off the work surface;
• positioning the lifted portion of the first fabric item in contact with a second fabric item;
• and
• depositing the portion of the first fabric item onto the second fabric item by rotating the roller while traversing the roller across the second fabric item, thereby creating a seam between the first fabric item and the second fabric item.

A method of automated fabric joining, comprising:

• providing a work surface including perforations, the work surface configured to support fabric items;
• applying a first vacuum through the perforations to selectively hold a first fabric item on the work surface;
• engaging the first fabric item with a roller comprising apertures distributed across a circumference of the roller;
• applying a second vacuum through the apertures of the roller independently of the first vacuum applied through the perforations;
• attaching a portion of the first fabric item to the circumference by rotating the roller while traversing the roller across the first fabric item;
• lifting the portion of the first fabric item off the work surface while maintaining the first fabric item attached to the circumference;
• positioning the portion of the first fabric item in contact with a second fabric item;
• and
• depositing the portion onto the second fabric item by rotating the roller while traversing the roller across the second fabric item, thereby creating a seam between the first fabric item and the second fabric item.