A tailor tack producing arrangement for a sewing machine is disclosed in which stitch patterning data stored in an electronic memory produces a recurring pattern of two closely spaced thread concatenations followed by a multiplicity of work feed increments during which the sewing machine needle bar reciprocation is interrupted. A warning means is disclosed for alerting the operator prior to needle reciprocation to facilitate accurate placement a recurring series of tailor tacks in work fabrics to facilitate accurate placement of isolated tailor tacks, the present invention combines the above with the feature of reversion to the initial stitch of the recurring pattern upon each selection of the pattern and combination with a single pattern facility which further prevents inadvertent needle reciprocation.