Abstract: A system and method for controlling the stopping point of a tufting machine in relation to a preset stitch pattern. The system includes a controller and an encoder to detect the current location of a tufting machine needle bar in the stitch pattern. Upon receipt of a stop signal, the controller insures that the needle bar is stopped at a preset stop step in the stitch pattern. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the controller first slows the main drive shaft of the tufting machine to a jogging speed prior to stopping the tufting machine, and stops the machine at the home position of the carpet pattern. Introducing a delay between receipt of the stop signal and deceleration of the main drive shaft minimizes the jogging time of the machine. The method is directed to stopping the tufting machine at a predetermined stop step and at a position relative to degrees of mainshaft rotation.