A stitching assembly including upper and lower cradles, upper and lower needles, and first and second sutures supported by the upper and lower needles respectively. The cradles moves along a curved path in relation to the carriages between advanced and retracted positions. When each cradle is moved from the retracted position towards the advanced position a stitch loop is formed when the respective needle is retracted. This process is repeated alternating between the first and second cradles with the upper and lower needles passing through the previous stitch loop formed by the other needle before passing through the tissue.