Beginning a Thread

Tips from the experts!

Securing the Thread

Pull the needle through the fabric from back to front, leaving about 1 inch behind the fabric. Hold this end with your fingers as you begin stitching, and work over the end with your first few stitches.

Waste Knot

Thread the needle and make a knot at the bottom end of the floss. Send the needle down through the fabric from front to back several squares over from where the first stitch will be placed. Come up at the first stitch, then make several stitches over the floss end. Clip the knot.

Loop Stitch

This method can only be used with even numbers of thread strands. Cut the strands twice the normal length, then take half of the number of strands needed and fold them in half. Insert the loose ends into the needle and bring the needle up from the back at the first stitch, leaving the loop underneath. Take the needle down through the fabric and through the loop; pull to secure. Begin stitching.