Thread changing mechanism for sewing machines

A thread changing mechanism for sewing machines comprises a plurality of needle holders which are received for displacement in a magazine which is fixedly mounted at the level of the top dead center of the needle bar. The needle holders have inner guide surfaces in T-configuration, corresponding to outer T-configuration guide surfaces of the coupling member which is secured to the needle bar. In the middle of the magazine, a recess is provided for the coupled needle holder. In a first embodiment, several fingers are pivotable between the needle holders to space them from each other. The coupled needle holder can then move freely upwardly and downwardly during the sewing operation. In a second embodiment, the same free movement of the coupled needle holder is ensured by a fork by which, after the coupling is effected, the needed spacing between the coupled one and the adjacent needle holders is ensured.