description referring to the drawings there is shown a hand held button sewing machine 10 according to the invention including a frame 12 a thread carrying needle 14 arranged for reciprocating movement and a pivotally movable looper 16 with opposing loop seizing points 18 and 20 which cooperate with the needle in the formation of chain stitches a work clamping assembly 22 which is supported on a longitudinally extending bed 24 is arranged to undergo movements in cooperation with those of the needle 14 and the looper to properly position a button which is to be sewed to a work piece a hand operated driving member shown as a lever 26 with one end pivotally attached at 28 to the frame 12 is interconnected with the needle 14 and clamping assembly 22 to impart the desired movements thereto the hand operated lever 26 also imparts movement to the looper 16 as shown lever 26 connects in a slot 29 with one end of the link 30 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 32 affixed in frame 12 a free end of link 30 includes a laterally extending pin 34 that extends into a slot 36 in an arm 38 which carries needle 14 at one end and is pivotally mounted at the other end on a shaft 40 affixed in the frame 12 arm 38 is biased upwardly by spring 42 into engagement with a stop 44 the arm is caused to move downwardly and dispose needle 14 for cooperation with looper 16 whenever lever 26 is squeezed upwardly.