Abstract: Apparatus for use with an A.C. induction motor drive for a sewing machine to supplant a clutch-brake mechanism by supplying an A.C. induction motor drive to supply power to the motor to control its operating speed and needle position. The control embodies a programmable controller responsive to information loaded into it to derive a profile of how the sewing machine is to operate to sew workpieces, and to generate a control signal which is supplied to the motor drive to operate the motor in accordance with the profile in association with a speed command encoder responsive to a manipulative operator control to produce speed signals to speed up or slow down. The encoder senses the position of the motor and provides a position signal representative of the needle and signals the controller in a closed-loop control system.