Abstract: A device for a sewing machine for making functional and ornamental stitches permits locking the needle bar according to signals that are given from a pulse transmitter, which monitors the rotational position of the top shaft, to a control system which actuates the drive motor of the sewing machine in coincidence with a foot starter. The sewing machine possesses a manually adjustable stitch selector and a device controlled by the needle bar drive for monitoring the relative position of the end of an ornamental stitch pattern. With both the stitch selector and the monitor device are operatively connected respective reversing switches adapted to be brought each into one of two change-over positions.