Don't cut your thread to long. 18 to 20" long is a length that works well to avoid getting knots and tangles.
Thread your needle and make your knot.
Run thread over any old votive or taper candle you have lying around. bees wax is most often mentioned when conditioning thread but i use what I have on hand. The wax will give the thread a bit of body.
( I like to use my favorite scented candle for this, Yankee Candle votive in the Citrus & Sage sent) Smells heavenly when I sew!)
Next, have your iron set to a low temp and run the waxed thread under the warm iron plate. This will remove any excess wax from the thread.
If at any point a tangle or knot starts to develope just drop your needle down and let the thread unwind.
I usually do ten or fifteen needles at a time when I am binding a quilt. I keep them orderly by sticking the needles next to each other in the edge of my ironing board table which is where I do my binding.
Give it a try and I hope it helps a little.
peace
Last edited by ube quilting; 06-18-2014 at 01:36 PM.