athomenow

I like to do the hand sewing on the binding. It's what I do while watching TV with my husband. The problem is it always knots up and I spend more time working those out than sewing. I use the Americana glaced thread because I thought that would solve the problem. What do you use to get around this problem?

meyert

have you tried the little blue box Thread Magic? It works wonders! I can't hand sew without it now that I have used it

Tartan

I use one strand of good quality thread for hand sewing binding. I do the lock stitch thing so the thread doesn't pull out of the eye and have about an arm length piece for sewing. Every stitch you make twists the thread so after sewing for a bit, hang your work upside down to let the thread unwind. This prevents it from doubling back on itself. I have never had to "dress" my thread but some people like a little sewing wax on their thread.

love 2 sew

Also, make sure the way the thread comes off the spool is the same way you sew it.

tessagin

Just like ruffling a hair backwards if you don't pay attention.

Ranchwife

I hand quilt and about every 20 stitches I twist the needle and thread the opposite way it is twisting. This untwists the thread and prevents knotting. If that doesn't help, I clip about 1 inch off the end of the thread - sometimes the end gets a little frayed and causes knotting. I stopped using Americana thread because it was causing bearding and excessive knotting. I am now using a Guetterman hand quilting thread and it doesn't beard or knot as much.

athomenow

I mistakenly bought the Americana thread thinking I could use it in my machine. It doesn't say anything on the label about being a hand quilting thread so I have 6 spools of this stuff. I luckily found out not to use it in my machine before I started sewing. I am going to buy the Thread Magic so I can hopefully get rid of this stuff before I die! That's going to be a lot of hand sewing.

Pennyhal

I use bees wax on my thread and it helps a lot. I buy it in this neat little container at Joanns.

ManiacQuilter2

That is what I use too. I use the old Dual Duty quilting thread and I still run it thru the Thread Magic. It is sold at JAF. Be sure to let you thread uncurl ever so often when you notice it curling as you stitch. That will also prevent any knots from forming. HATE THEM because I can NEVER get them undone !!

PenniF

I'd also suggest 18 inch lengths of thread. That has always been my guideline - that and threading the needle before i cut it off the spool then knotting the cut end right away so i get the thread going the "right" way.