An electronically controlled sewing machine includes an arrangement for utilizing the feed override control to effect a feed balancing function for a pattern having both directions of feed. To effect the balancing function, those patterns which have both forward and reverse feed are "flagged" for recognition by the sewing machine control system. When such a pattern is being sewn, the function of the feed override control is changed to perform the balancing function. Accordingly, when the feed override control is enabled, a fixed increment is added to all forward feeds in the pattern and the feed override control is utilized to attenuate only the forward feeds, to effect a balanced condition.