Starting your thread in cross stitch

by Mary Schoff
(USA)

A long time ago a friend cross stitched with a single thread. She would somehow pull it through the Aida and it was knotted on the back. It was doubled and used as 2 strands of floss.

I hope you can help me find the instructions on how this is done.

Thank you very much.


Answer

Mary,

This sounds to me like the loop method, although this technique doesn't use a knot on the back of the work. The thread is folded in half, the loose ends are threaded through the needle and the first stitch is taken leaving the loop on the back of the work. Then turn the work over and slip the needle through the loop and pull snugly up to the fabric. Then you have two strands to work with.

Hope this helps. You can read more about this technique at the top of this page.

how do I secure 3 strands of floss without tying a knot

by Nikki

i like the method of securing the thread without a knot, if you were to use two strands, but what about three? How do I embroider without having to double up and make it six threads thick because i have to tie a knot?

Basically I want my stitch to be 3 threads thick but I'm not sure how to secure the thread that way on my needle.

Knotting and restarting thread

How do I knot my thread and then restart with a new thread?

Tying embroidery thread off on the back

by Beverlee Myers
(San Benito Texas Cameron County)

How do I tie off the embroidery thread on the back of my work. I am working on delicate thin material it is going well all except when I tie it off. I usually just backstitch a few times and cut off but it is not working without showing on this material.

Fastening thread on the reverse side of stitching

Once the stitch is completed, is the thread cut on the reverse side after stitching and if so, how long should it be? Should it be knotted or just left alone?

Thanks, truly a beginner!

Answer
I prefer not to knot my thread on the back. Instead I would run it under a few stitches on the back to secure it.

Securing thread ends on a table cloth.

by Brooke
(Loves Park, Illinois, USA)

I am embroidering a table cloth for my mother in law for Christmas and was wondering how to secure the thread ends on the back.

Right now I am tying off knots and it just seems to be getting nubby!

Help!