A free work pressing device for a sewing machine includes a holding portion for mounting the free work pressing device to the presser bar of sewing machine, a slide shaft supported by the holding portion and being slidingly movable in the axial direction, a work pressing foot secured to the lower end of the slide shaft, an elastic member for normally pressing the slide shaft axially in the downward direction relative to the holding portion, an adjust mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the work pressing foot relative to the work which is to be stitched. The work pressing foot is smoothly movable as yielding up and down in dependence upon a variation in the thickness of the work against and under control of the elastic member.