PURPOSE: To remarkably increase the amount of a housed string, etc., increase the embroidering speed and improve the embroidery efficiency.

CONSTITUTION: This zigzag embroidery machine is constructed by rotating a rotating frame holding an embroidery cloth in an extended state on a moving frame 13 at a required rotation angle with a frame rotating motor 17 and rocking an embroidery needle 10 installed in a sewing machine head 7 in the direction of the (y)-axis at a required shogging width. Furthermore, a bobbin 18 for housing a string 20 in a wound state is rotatably provided through a supporting bracket 19 on the sewing machine head 7 and a guide 21, extending to the vicinity of the needle point of the embroidery needle 10 and leading the string 20 wound around the bobbin 18 onto the embroidery cloth is provided on the side of the tip of the sewing machine head 7. The string 20 led from the bobbin 18 through the guide 21 onto the embroidery cloth is then sewn on the embroidery cloth with the embroidery needle 10 rocked at the required shogging width. The rotating frame is rotated while moving the moving frame 3 to curve the string 20 in an optional direction on the embroidery cloth. Thereby, the embroidery of the string 20 forming an optional pattern is realized.