Abstract: An apparatus for holding a plurality of needle bars of an embroidery machine which includes a support upon which the needle bars are reciprocably mounted; a moving block connected to each of the needle bars for advancement and retraction thereof and including a stopper extending therefrom at a right angle to a direction of movement of the moving block; a driving band connected to the moving block and which includes a locating plate; and a plurality of L-shaped operating levers corresponding to the needle bars, each of the levers including an inclined surface positioned at a front portion thereof and supported on the support so as to be freely rotatable and which includes a mechanism for fixing the needles in an idle position. A plurality of solenoids are also provided which have operation bars attached thereto and which are respectively rotated by the solenoids.