The invention relates to a method of operating a textile machine, in particular a free end spinning machine or an air jet spinning machine, wherein the textile machine comprises a plurality of stations (1) driven at least partially by a single motor, wherein the stations (1) are associated with at least one stepping motor (17). According to the invention, the load variable, in particular the loadangle, of the stepping motor (17) is measured, and based on the change of the load variable, in particular the increase of the load angle, the elements driven by the stepping motor (17) are identified, (5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16) approaching the final position (E). The invention also relates to a textile machine, particularly a free end spinning machine or an air jet spinning machine, which comprises a plurality of stations (1) driven at least partially by a single motor, wherein the station (1) is associated with at least one stepping motor (17), and wherein each station (1) comprises means formeasuring a load variable of the stepping motor (17), in particular a load angle, and a controller (18) for operating the stepping motor (17) according to the foregoing operation.