In a method of and an apparatus for drivingly controlling an automatic sewing machine, the time for which a work holding unit is drivingly processed every seam lengths, the time from start of the drive processing of the work holding unit to the time at which the work holding unit starts movement, and the time of movement of the work holding unit are set whereby a drive signal of the work holding unit is controlled such that the work holding unit starts movement and is terminated in movement during a period for which a needle passes through a sewing material. Decision of the drive signal of the work holding unit is executed by a program with respect to all sewing speeds for all sewing lengths.