How To Tie A Knot For Sewing The Correct Way - Treasurie Blog

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Learn how to tie a knot in thread for sewing! To tie a knot for sewing, the easiest way is to thread your needle and bring the two ends of the thread together. Wrap the thread around your index finger, roll it off, making sure the end goes through the loops. Pull it tight to form a knot at the end. This tutorial will show you how to tie a sewing knot in this as well as several other ways so you can choose what works best for you.

How to Tie a Knot in Thread Quickly

There are several ways to perform this essential part of sewing. The purpose of the knot is to hold the thread fast while the stitches are worked by hand. Clearly, it is a waste of time to sew something if the thread pulls out because it is not secured. 

Learning how to tie a sewing knot neatly will make all the difference to the reverse side of your needlework. There are some pieces of needlework that are so beautifully neat on the back that they look like works of art.

Here is a summary of how to tie thread knots. Keep reading for step by step instructions and several variations.

Use your fingers to make the knot by making several coils around the tip of a finger. Roll the loops off the end.

Pull the thread through the center to form the knot at the end. Tighten the knot.

Tie a Knot in Thread – Step by Step Instructions

Step 1 – Thread the Needle

Before you start, you will need to thread a needle. You can do this with your fingers or a needle threader. Ensure you have bright light and wet the end of your thread if it is not threading easily. A diagonally cut thread tip will also help.

Step 2 – Cut the Thread

Cut the thread to a manageable length. At most, you will want a couple of feet (61cm). If your thread is much longer than this, it will probably tangle as you sew.

Once threaded, it is time to learn how to tie a knot in the thread. You may want to knot both strands of thread (called double-threaded needle) or just one end (single-threaded needle). Using a double thread is considered stronger and is recommended if you are sewing seams. A single thread is often used for embroidery or finer projects.

Step 3 – Tie the Knot in the Thread

The finger knot method is probably the easiest and quickest way that is used most often.

1. Thread your needle with either single or double thread.
2. Use your fingers to make the knot by making several coils around the tip of a finger. You can use one or two fingers. Use your pointer or index fingers.
3. Roll the loops off the end of your finger (using your thumb) and pull the thread through the center to form the knot at the end.

Alternative Ways to Tie a Knot in Thread

1. Make a Knot Using a Needle and Twirls

This is a great method how to tie a big knot for sewing, as you can vary the number of twists to produce larger or smaller knots. Large knots are useful for sewing many types of buttons and projects where you need extra security.

1. Thread your needle and wrap the tail of the thread around the tip of the needle several times. The more times you wrap, the larger the knot will be.
2. Pull the needle through the loops of thread. Slowly ease the thread down from the tip to the bottom of the thread. It will twist and twirl to the bottom and slowly tighten. This forms a tight knot in the thread.
3. Cut the excess thread at the tail.

2. With a Locking Stitch

A locking stitch is not actually a knot, but a way of securing the end of the thread. This stitch serves the same purpose as the knot as it secures the thread. This is way to tie a knot in thread is similar to a tailor’s tack stitch.

3. With Loop Knot Stitch

Loop knots are a popular way to anchor the thread in embroidery circles.

1. You start this method by folding the thread you are sewing in the middle and threading both tails through the eye of the needle. There will be a fold or loop on one side and a tail on the other. The tail is kept on the shorter side.
2. Push the needle through the fabric. Do not pull the whole thread out through the fabric.
3. Put the needle through the fold of the thread loop and tighten your thread until it is secured in the fabric. Continue with your sewing project.

4. Double Back Stitches

Sewing two backstitches on top of each other makes a neat starting point. Once again, it is not exactly a thread knot but a neat and flat way of making sure the thread is tightly fastened. This same principle applies to machine stitching, where a double backstitch ensures the beginning of the sewing from the machine will not come undone.

5. Tying a Knot in Machine Stitching

Another method of tying the knot in machine stitching is to sew your line of stitching and then pull your threads so the loop of the previous stitch pulls through to the back in the form of a loop.

The loop can be drawn through to the wrong side with a pin, and then two single threads knotted together. This is a bit laborious when a simple backstitch by machine will do the same trick.

6. Sewing Knot in Thread for Embroidery

The above six basic ways to tie a knot in sewing are simple options to start any sewing project with needle and thread or machine and thread. There are also some knot stitches in embroidery to consider, and they are worth understanding as well. It is important to use an embroidery hoop to make these embroidery knots.

French knots are little knots on the surface of an embroidery design. They have a decorative function rather than being used to secure a line of stitching.

Hiding the Sewing Knots

There are many sewing projects where you will want to hide the knots. Here are some suggestions on how to do this:

• Quilting – Hide the sewing knot between the layers of fabric and batting.
• Seams – Place the knot on the underside.
• Embroidery – Hide the knot underneath.

In Conclusion

Starting and finishing your sewing either by hand or machine is one of the most important aspects of any sewing project. The saying you reap what you sow, or sew, comes to mind. If you set out learning how to tie a knot in thread and have a firm knot at the beginning and finish, your return will be a row of stitches that won’t come undone.

How to Tie a Knot in Thread for Sewing

Learn how to tie a sewing knot using a thread an needle. 4.9/5 – (14 votes) Print Pin Difficulty: Easy BeginnerKeyword: Embroidery and Hand Sewing Total Time: 3 minutes minutes

Difficulty

Tools

• Scissors
• Needle

Materials

• Thread

Instructions

• Thread the needle with either a single or double strand. Wrap the tail ends around your pointer or index finger several times. The more times you wrap, the larger your knot will be.
• Gently roll the loops off your finger with your thumb.
• Pull the tail thread through the center of the loop.
• Pull tightly to form a knot. Cut the excess.

Related

• Use a Needle Threader
• How to Thread a Needle
• Sewing Thread Types
• Sewing Needle Types
• Hand Stitching
• How to Embroider

4.9/5 - (14 votes) Share it Now, Make it Later!

• 

Author - Luisa Clare

Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie and a sewing educator with over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education. She creates clear, beginner-friendly tutorials and printable patterns that home sewists and crocheters worldwide use to build skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.

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