Quick Tips On How To Thread Up And Knot Your Embroidery Thread
This is a really quick post with a couple of tips on how to thread up your embroidery thread to get you ready for embroidery. I learned this from one of my embroidery teachers many years ago. Thank you Mrs Huebner!
How Long Is A Piece Of Thread
I tend to use an elbow length long piece of embroidery thread. To measure hold the end of the embroidery thread between your thumb and index finger and pull the thread to your elbow. Hold your thread at the point where it comes to the elbow and cut.
Threading Up
Your thread should thread easily through the eye of the needle. If you have to force the thread through the eye, the needle is too small and can damage the thread. So you really want to go one or two needle sizes up.
Here is a quick tip on how to make it easier to thread the embroidery thread through the eye.
Hold the eye of the needle in your right hand (or left if you are left-handed) and loop the thread over the needle. Pinch the thread with the index finger and thumb of your other hand and pull the thread off the needle. Keep the thread pinched so that it just shows between your finger. Now push the thread through the eye of your needle.
Here is a quick video:
Knotting Your Thread
If you use a holding knot to secure your thread you want to add a little knot at the end of your thread.
Here is a little knotting trick I learned years ago from one of my embroidery teachers. It is so quick and easy to do.
First, hold the threaded needle in your right hand (or left if you are left-handed). Then put the end of your embroidery thread over the top of the needle. Hold the thread with the thumb and of your right hand. Then wind the thread 3 or 4 times around the needle. Grab the coils with the thumb and index finger of your right hand. Then pull the coils along the embroidery thread until you form the knot at the end of the thread.
Here is another quick video:
I hope you found these little tricks helpful.
I created a whole online class with the beginner in mind that covers everything you need to know to get you started with hand embroidery. Learn more about what is included in ‘Contemporary Hand Embroidery 101: Foundational Stitches and Techniques’ if this interests you.
I’d love to hear from you if you have a comment. Leave a comment below.
Happy Stitching!
You might find the following posts helpful to get you started with your embroidery journey.
