A weaving machine having a rotating main shaft for driving the weaving machine, with a plurality of accessories on the weaving machine for weaving cloth is provided with an artificial signal of shaft position. A generator generates the artificial signal representing the desired angular position of the main driving shaft of the weaving machine. This generator generates the signal independent of actual angular position of the main shaft. A drive drives the main shaft of the weaving machine. The drive is responsive to the signal for the desired angular position of the main shaft. This drive responds independently of the actual angular position of the main shaft of the weaving machine. At least one weaving machine accessory is present for performing functions on the cloth being woven, such as a thread tensioning device, cloth takeoff device, or nozzle controls, for projectile-type weft insertion. These accessories also receive the artificial signal of desired shaft position, and function responsive to the signal. The arrangement avoids the inevitable inaccuracy introduced when main driving shafts with varying dynamic loads minutely vary at positions of shaft rotation takeoff. An apparatus and method for weaving machine control is disclosed.