Abstract: A sewing machine having a reciprocatable needle for stitching material thereunder, a motor driven handwheel for cutting thread or material in the vicinity of the needle within a finite time interval from when actuated and a controller for actuating the cutter at leading and trailing ends of the material. The sewing machine applies a stitch to the material during one complete revolution of the handwheel. The controller comprises a sensor, disposed a given distance from the cutter, for sensing the leading edge and the trailing edge of material under the needle. The number of revolutions of the handwheel is counted after the leading edge is sensed or after the trailing edge is sensed. The stitching speed is sensed, a first reference is provided for indicating the desired number of stitches to be applied in the given distance and a second reference is provided for indicating the finite time interval.