An embroidering machine comprises a plurality of embroidering head each equipped with a plurality of needles formed into a group each with its thread. A needle bar is engageable with one needle at a time in the group to bring the needle from a rest position thereof into an operating position. A presser foot mechanism with a presser foot attached cyclically moves the presser foot upwardly and downwardly from an upper dead center position to a lower dead center position. The presser foot is provided with a hole for the passage of the one needle. Thread cutting and holding devices are provided for cutting the thread of the one needle to form a thread end portion and hold the thread end portion. Upon the termination of an embroidering operation with the one needle, the presser foot mechanism is operable to move the presser foot substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the needles and, after the thread is cut, to lift the presser foot upwardly beyond its upper dead center position. The holding device includes a shield for shielding the points of the needles in a rest position and a chamber having an open bottom and top end with compressed air nozzle for directing the thread end portions into the chamber to secure the thread end portions.