Originally Posted by
thescarletquilter
Hi all,
I have a question about which end of the thread should be threaded into the eye of the needle. Years ago I took a hand quilting class and was taught to use the freshly cut end of the thread through the eye. I was just watching a class on needle turn applique and the teacher says that she threads the needle while the thread is still on the spool, opposite of what I learned in the hand quilting class. So that leads me wondering which is the correct way to thread the needle, freshly cut end or end that is already on the spool?
Thanks!
Victoria
The discrepency is probably because hand quilting threads are apt have a final S-twist (left twist) while machine quilting, embroidery and all-purpose sewing threads mostly have a final Z-twist (right twist). When threading a needle from the bobbin, however, remember the ends are reversed.
The foolproof way to decide is with the 'grain' method mentioned earlier. As long as the nap runs needle to knot, you'll have fewer tangles with less fraying and breaking of the thread.