Abstract: An electric sewing machine comprises a casing with an electric drive motor mounted in the casing. The casing includes a recess defined in the base portion which opens on one end and receives a control member which fits in the recess. The control member carries a control for regulating the speed of the motor which includes a foot-pedal switch for operating a variable resistance to change the motor speed. The control member includes a reel over which a connecting cable is wound and which extends between the control in the housing of the control member through the casing to the motor. A winding mechanism permits the control member to be removed from the recess of the casing by permitting the unwinding of the cable without disconnecting it from the control. The winding mechanism includes a reel which is unwound with the cable and a spring for returning the reel when the cable is to be rewound for replacement of the control into the housing.