This sewing machine 1 includes a thread tension device 17 for applying pressing force to the needle thread, a needle thread handling member 29 for handling the needle thread guided from the thread tension device 17, air cylinders 26, 27 for moving the needle thread handling member 29 from the foremost position P10 through the middle position P30 to the last position P20, a needle thread cutting knife 14 for cutting the needle thread, and a control device 50 for controlling the air cylinders 26, 27. The needle thread is guided from the needle thread handling member 29 to a needle thread take-up lever 18 to finally reach a thread passing hole 6a of a needle 6. Immediately before the start of sewing, the needle thread handling member 29 is moved from the foremost position P10 to the last position P20. After the end of sewing, the needle thread handling member 29 is moved from the last position P20 to the middle position P30. After that, the pressing force to the needle thread is increased by the thread tension device. Subsequently, the needle thread handling member 29 is moved from the middle position P30 to the foremost position P10.