Abstract: A device for clamping and cutting the rear or lower thread in an embroidering machine having a stitch plate with a stitch hole, a shuttle guide and a shuttle displaceably mounted in the shuttle guide. The clamping and cutting device which are arranged in the region of the stitch hole include a thread cutting device having a cutting blade and a thread clamping device having a thread clamping gap. The cutting device conveys the rear or lower thread into the clamping gap of the clamping device, where the thread is clamped before being cut. The cutting device does not take part in the clamping of said thread. Subsequent movements of the cutting device do not affect already clamped threads.