It's time to get stitching! Let's learn the basics of embroidery floss, how to thread your needle, and methods of starting & finishing your stitches.
Skein Basics
Standard embroidery floss is comprised of six strands that can be either used as a whole or separated. A skein of embroidery floss generally comes in a looped fashion, banded at the top and bottom. Look for the start of the thread at the bottom band. Always pull your thread from this location so the skein remains untangled. A good length to work with is about an arm’s length or 12"-18".
Threading Your Needle
If you need to separate the strands, lightly divide the strands with your fingernail. Once you have the strands lightly separated, pull one strand out. Repeat this step until you have the desired amount of strands.
To thread the needle, trim any frayed edges. Flatten the strands between your fingers, leaving no more than just a tip poking out, and push the strands through the eye of the needle. If not all strands go through the first time, start over and try again. Pull the thread through until you have a 3" tail at the eye of the needle.
Thread Hack
Reducing the bulk at the eye of the needle can help save you from hand pain and makes stitching with a higher number of strands (6+) easier.
An alternative is to divide the number of strands needed in half and double your thread length. When threading your needle, pull the thread through until the two ends meet. This method only works for even numbered strands.
How to Start & Finish Your Stitches
There are two basic methods of starting & finishing your stitches.
Knotless Method
This method functions by weaving in the ends of your thread.
To start your stitch with this method,
With a threaded needle, bring your needle up through the fabric at the start of your line, leaving a 3” tail on the bottom of the fabric. Begin stitching, ensuring the tail remains.
To finish your stitching with the knotless method,
Turn your hoop over. Weave in the ends of the thread by looping under and over 3-5 previous stitches. Once the thread is secure, trim the ends off. We still have the tail from the start of our stitch. Rethread the tail into the needle and weave it into the stitches. Once the thread is secure, trim the ends off.
Alternatively, you can place an away knot so you don’t have to worry about losing the tail at the beginning of your first stitch.
To place an away knot,
Knot the end of your thread after threading your needle. From the top of the fabric, bring your needle down through the fabric 3” away from your first stitch, and stitch as usual. Once you have completed stitching and weaved in the end, return to the beginning. Snip the away knot releasing the tail, rethread the tail into the needle and weave it into the previous stitches.
Knot Method
This method functions by knotting your thread and your stitches.
To start your stitch with this method,
Tie a knot at the end of your thread after threading your needle and begin your first stitch.
To finish your stitching with the knotless method,
Turn your hoop over and slide the needle under the previous stitch until a small loop remains. Pass the needle through the loop and pull the thread snuggly. You can do this once or a couple of times.
Care to see this step in action? The video below walks you through the basics of needle & thread.
COMING SOON!