jpwagner

My trick is to have a small piece of a fabric softener sheet, like Bounce, and slide it down the thread. You probably have some on hand and it is cheap. Just don't rub it on the needle because it will be so slick you can't hold on to the needle!!

mom2boyz

I also use beeswax EVERY SINGLE TIME I hand sew. I can't stand sewing without it. The only thing I can add is a teacher once told me that after I wax the thread, iron it. It gets rid of the little clumps and also seems to help the knotting issue.

suzanprincess

All my life I knotted the end of the thread coming off the spool, until I started using Connecting Threads cotton thread; it works best/gets fewer knots when I start sewing with the other end. Evidently it's twisted in manufacturing in the reverse direction from what I was used to.