Re-inventing the wheel?
#1
I learn a lot of things from a lot of places, and I can't remember where I learned this. My apologies if I learned it on this board and just forgot. I use it all the time when hand stitching anything like bindings to keep my needle from coming unthreaded repeatedly. The recent topic of dryer sheets for knot prevention reminded me of this, and of the "quilter's knot" that I use at the long end of the thread.
needle knot drawing
[ATTACH=CONFIG]186305[/ATTACH]
#3
I started using this knot because I was using silk thread. Now I find that I knot almost every kind of thread that I'm using. Same thing but I hold the short end so it looks like a cancer ribbon and put the needle through. Before I slide it tightly I make the tail as short as I can so as to not waste too much thread.
Thanks for posting this. It will be a great help to others.
Great illustration.
What a cute baby in your avatar.
Thanks for posting this. It will be a great help to others.
Great illustration.
What a cute baby in your avatar.
#6
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
I would think you must be using very short lengths of thread to knot it at the eye of the needle like that. If I did this My thread would wear and break at the eye. I am constantly sliding my needle down the thread to avoid wearing a weak spot in the thread and have had it wear through enough to break when I forget to do it.
But I also take a much longer than average length. When quilting I cut darn close to a 36" length and I run it through bees wax to prevent knotting. When I start a new length of thread it is doubled over almost the entire distance. Every few stitches I slide the needle down it. I rarely ever get a tangle or knot. I like 30wt best for handquilting so the heavier thread may also help.
I have no knotting problems with silk thread when doing applique. Usually take about 26" cut of that.
But I also take a much longer than average length. When quilting I cut darn close to a 36" length and I run it through bees wax to prevent knotting. When I start a new length of thread it is doubled over almost the entire distance. Every few stitches I slide the needle down it. I rarely ever get a tangle or knot. I like 30wt best for handquilting so the heavier thread may also help.
I have no knotting problems with silk thread when doing applique. Usually take about 26" cut of that.
#10
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 13,214
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
I would think you must be using very short lengths of thread to knot it at the eye of the needle like that. If I did this My thread would wear and break at the eye. I am constantly sliding my needle down the thread to avoid wearing a weak spot in the thread and have had it wear through enough to break when I forget to do it.
But I also take a much longer than average length. When quilting I cut darn close to a 36" length and I run it through bees wax to prevent knotting. When I start a new length of thread it is doubled over almost the entire distance. Every few stitches I slide the needle down it. I rarely ever get a tangle or knot. I like 30wt best for handquilting so the heavier thread may also help.
I have no knotting problems with silk thread when doing applique. Usually take about 26" cut of that.
But I also take a much longer than average length. When quilting I cut darn close to a 36" length and I run it through bees wax to prevent knotting. When I start a new length of thread it is doubled over almost the entire distance. Every few stitches I slide the needle down it. I rarely ever get a tangle or knot. I like 30wt best for handquilting so the heavier thread may also help.
I have no knotting problems with silk thread when doing applique. Usually take about 26" cut of that.
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