Country Quilter

Is there a secret to keep embroidery floss from knotting up??? I have beeswax but that makes such a mess and I am working with black floss and it shows up terrible on the floss.....is there anything else that works?????

bj

I have the best success when I just don't try to work with too much at one time. I just rethread often :( , but I'd rather do that than keep taking tangles out. Much easier to rethread :) .

Country Quilter

Thanks....I did find a website that had some tips on it and it said to try running the floss thru a dryer sheet a few times...so i am going to give it a try...will let you know if it works!

Moonpi

You may try using shorter lengths, too.

Country Quilter

yeah, thats what I ended up doing is using shorter lengths.... the dryer sheet tip didn't work at all! LOL Thanks again all!

QUILTNUT

Haven't used floss in years, but I seem to remember that it knots less if you take the strand set you've just pulled from the main bunch, pull it gently thru your fingers to smooth it a little and then let it hand straight down until it stops twirling..hope this helps! Mary

jbsstrawberry

Yep, shorter lengths, Grandma said never longer than from your elbow to your middle finger. Ohh! and don't forget the untangle dangle...gotta do that every now and again :). Whatchya mmmaaaakin? :D

Country Quilter

Thanks Lisa! Never heard that about the elbow before...have only heard it shouldn't be longer than 18 inches...but I never was a good listener...always have to try to do things MY way! LOL

I am working on a wedding gift....a wallhanging and I am embroidering the poem they had on their invitations and then making a slide in quilted picture frame with their names and the date of their wedding under that..... also, plan to fuse some hearts in the same color and shape as the ones on their invitation..... It looks great in my head...hope it all comes together on the fabric! LOL

jbsstrawberry

It sounds wonderful too! You're gonna post a pic for us right? :D

bluebird

Many years ago took a cross stitch class. They gave an excellant hint to keep your floss from tangling. Yes, cut it less than the 18 inches, that helps but the trick is that floss has a nap. After you cut it, run it between your fingers, both ways. One way will be smooth and tangle free, the other way you can feel the roughness, that is what causes the tangles. Hold the end and when you find the smooth way then thread your needle with that end that you are holding. Works every time. Good luck, youlll do great. :)