PURPOSE: To hold a thread and to feed no thread when the power of a sewing machine is turned on and off.

CONSTITUTION: The device provided with a thread feeding means 22, thread holding means 23, 23', and 24 arranged in the preceeding stage of the thread feeding means, and a control means controlling the thread feeding means and the thread holding means. The thread feeding means is provided with a driving roller 25 and follower rollers 26a and 26b located to come into contact with the driving roller or separate from the driving roller. The control means controls the thread holding means and the follower rollers to separate the follower roller from the driving roller although the thread holding means holds the thread when the power of the sewing machine is turned on and off.