I will try to explain how to do this...put the thread through the eye, draw it out about 6", turn the end you put through back toward the eye and re-insert it going back the other way so you have a loop; put the tip of the needle through the loop holding both ends on one side of the needle. gently pull it tight- you can adjust the length of a tail while pulling it tight so you have a 3"-4" tail. I do this for all my hand sewing - not just applique with silk thread. :thumbup: