The presser lifting mechanism of a sewing machine includes a cloth presser, a pressing rod which holds the cloth presser by a bottom end portion thereof, a rod holder which is fixed to the pressing rod, a pressing spring a bottom end portion of which is in contact with a top end portion of the rod holder and which pushes the cloth presser downward via the rod holder, a push-up member through which the pressing rod is inserted so as to be movable in the vertical direction and which is in contact with the rod holder from below and can pushed it up, a link body which is in contact with a bottom surface of the rod holder and is connected to the push-up member, and a presser motor which is linked to the link body and serves as a drive source for elevation and lowering of the cloth presser.