A sewing machine drive has a main motor (1) with associated clutch (30, 32) and an auxiliary motor (2) for driving the machine at a slower speed for stopping with the needle in a predetermined position. The clutch has a plate (32) controllable by a pedal actuated linkage (101 - 303) to adopt a driving position (against plate 30), a neutral position as shown or a braked position (against plate 31). The output shaft (50) at the auxiliary motor is coupled to the main drive shaft (33) through a one-way clutch. The speed of the auxiliary motor is adjusted by a c.p.u. if the diameter of the main drive pulley is changed. <IMAGE>
