Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple-needle sewing machine which is capable of making stitch tracings in zigzag, etc. on a cloth by moving up and down a plurality of needles, with the cloth held between a needle plate and a cloth holder and moved right and left. The needle plate has a long hole with such a length that the right and left movement of the needle plate is not hindered by the vertical movement of the plurality of needles. Within the long hole, there is a needle passing plate positioned which has needle holes through which the needles pass. This needle passing plate is formed shorter than the long hole of the needle plate so as not to hinder the right and left movement of the needle plate. Such a structure is effective for making finely a plurality of the same stitches in zigzag, etc.

Abstract: Needles of a multiple-needle sewing machine are set on its needle holder so that the form which the needle tips form is not in alignment in parallel with the surface of a cloth to be sewn but deviates from the surface in vertical direction.Accordingly, since plural needles will stick into a cloth not all at once but with time lags, the forces exerted on the needles, needle holder, needle rods, etc. may be dispersed. It is also possible that more needles may be used than the conventional multiple-needle sewing machine.