A method of automatically controlling thread tension in a sewing machine according to which a first thread tension device is provided between an upper thread source and a thread take-up lever, and a second thread tension device is provided between the first tension device and the thread take-up lever. The first thread tension device is operated to apply a constant pressure to the upper thread such that the thread take-up lever is able to draw out the upper thread upon moving upward. The second thread tension device is operated to fixedly hold the upper thread until the thread take-up lever moves upward to an upper dead point thereof through a lower dead point thereof, at which the take-up lever moves downward to supply the upper thread to the needle. The second thread tension device is further operated to effect release of the upper thread when the thread take-up lever reaches the upper dead point thereof and until the thread take-up lever moves downward to a thread supply starting position thereof.