I make things that make people smile. . . and you can too!
Friday, December 31, 2010
How To Tie a Knot
I know it seems silly to record a video about how to tie a knot - but this knot is so awesome it's worth teaching. And it's easy. With just a little practice you can look like a sewing superstar.
Love your blog. I got your newsletter about it. I came here to look for your Zibbet shop link, but I don't see it anywhere on your blog. Maybe I missed it somewhere?
I might have missed it somewhere, but is there somewhere you show how to tie off at the end? My embroideries always look lovely on the top and like a mess on the back, especially if I'm changing colors a lot. Someone once tried to show me how to sort of backstitch onto the thread to hold it down on the back, but I found that often worked loose with washing. Is there some special trick that results in tidy looking backs, especially when people are going to see it, as with tea towels?
Shannon - Good question! I usually just thread the needle through some of the stitches on the back of the work. I'm recording video tomorrow and I'll do one that shows this. I'll probably have it edited and uploaded later this week or early next.
Wendi, I feel like one of the old comedians who said, "Too soon I get too old, too late I get too smart!" I'm so glad I found your blog in time to learn all this new neat stuff.
Your creative work is amazing, and now it turns out you know how to tie amazing knots as well.
I have been sewing by hand and machine for about a half-century, (gosh that sounds a lot longer than it feels.) My grandma taught me to embroider when I was about 9.
I have to say this little knot you just showed me is just the most clever thing I ever saw.
hi there - this knot is called a tailor's knot, I've been teaching sewing & textiles for over 20 years & this little knot never fails to impress my learners !
I have been sewing over 40 years and this is the best technique for making a thread knot I'v ever seen. That goes to show, were never too old to learn new tricks in sewing.
Thanks. More certain than the method I use, which only works about half the time on the first try. Found your site through CraftGossip and I will stop by again.
I was taught this knot at a dressmaking class about 30 years ago, but I have just learnt from another website a clever way to start off without a knot. If you are embroidering with 2 strands of thread, split off just one and thread both cut ends through your needle. Come up through your work as usual for your first stitch, then when you go back through make sure your go through the loop end of thread on the back and just like magic you have a secure and neat start to your work and no nasty little knot ends. This tip came from Lena Green in Australia, I'm across the pond in England.
I usually stitch with 4 strands of thread - and the knot you described is exactly how I do it when I'm using the extra two strands I pulled off. I wonder why I never thought of just always starting with two strands? *forehead smack*
Wendi love, love, love your site thank you so much!!! Look forward to all your emails and thank you for that engenius threading technique. You know I will be useing it!!
Love your blog. I got your newsletter about it. I came here to look for your Zibbet shop link, but I don't see it anywhere on your blog. Maybe I missed it somewhere?
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking in! My Zibbet shop is down for some post-holiday maintenance.
ReplyDeleteI might have missed it somewhere, but is there somewhere you show how to tie off at the end? My embroideries always look lovely on the top and like a mess on the back, especially if I'm changing colors a lot. Someone once tried to show me how to sort of backstitch onto the thread to hold it down on the back, but I found that often worked loose with washing. Is there some special trick that results in tidy looking backs, especially when people are going to see it, as with tea towels?
ReplyDeleteShannon - Good question! I usually just thread the needle through some of the stitches on the back of the work. I'm recording video tomorrow and I'll do one that shows this. I'll probably have it edited and uploaded later this week or early next.
ReplyDeleteWendi, I feel like one of the old comedians who said, "Too soon I get too old, too late I get too smart!" I'm so glad I found your blog in time to learn all this new neat stuff.
ReplyDeleteYour creative work is amazing, and now it turns out you know how to tie amazing knots as well.
I have been sewing by hand and machine for about a half-century, (gosh that sounds a lot longer than it feels.) My grandma taught me to embroider when I was about 9.
I have to say this little knot you just showed me is just the most clever thing I ever saw.
Thank you, thank you.
Annette
Annette - We'll have to thank my mother-in-law for the knot. She's the one who taught it to me!
ReplyDeletehi there - this knot is called a tailor's knot, I've been teaching sewing & textiles for over 20 years & this little knot never fails to impress my learners !
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it had an official name! Thanks Maritza!
ReplyDeleteThank you, knots are always a problem!! This should be easy!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! This is brilliant. Thank you. Sometimes the simplest things are the best.
ReplyDeleteLightbulb moment! Love this and will def use it going forward :)
ReplyDeleteI have been sewing over 40 years and this is the best technique for making a thread knot I'v ever seen. That goes to show, were never too old to learn new tricks in sewing.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteThanks. More certain than the method I use, which only works about half the time on the first try.
ReplyDeleteFound your site through CraftGossip and I will stop by again.
This is just wonderful. I pinned it on pinterest & I'll be trying it out for sure. Thanks so much for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so sharing it Mel!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. I have struggled for years to knot my thread and now I can do it in seconds instead of 10mins, what a time saver!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it was helpful!
ReplyDeleteI feel so cool when I make this knot! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteMe too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! So glad I found you!
ReplyDeleteomg is that ever easy! THANK YOU!!!
ReplyDeleteDid you make that up or is there a term for that knot!? kewl
~Monika
My mother in law taught me. I think it's called a Tailor's Knot, but I've seen another knot called that too so I'm not sure.
DeleteMost awesome knot ever
ReplyDeleteI feel that way every single time I use it. :-)
DeleteI was taught this knot at a dressmaking class about 30 years ago, but I have just learnt from another website a clever way to start off without a knot. If you are embroidering with 2 strands of thread, split off just one and thread both cut ends through your needle. Come up through your work as usual for your first stitch, then when you go back through make sure your go through the loop end of thread on the back and just like magic you have a secure and neat start to your work and no nasty little knot ends. This tip came from Lena Green in Australia, I'm across the pond in England.
ReplyDeleteI usually stitch with 4 strands of thread - and the knot you described is exactly how I do it when I'm using the extra two strands I pulled off. I wonder why I never thought of just always starting with two strands? *forehead smack*
DeleteWendi love, love, love your site thank you so much!!! Look forward to all your emails and thank you for that engenius threading technique. You know I will be useing it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'm glad it was helpful. :-)
Delete