Another thread question
 

I like to do the hand sewing on the binding. It's what I do while watching TV with my husband. The problem is it always knots up and I spend more time working those out than sewing. I use the Americana glaced thread because I thought that would solve the problem. What do you use to get around this problem?

have you tried the little blue box Thread Magic? It works wonders! I can't hand sew without it now that I have used it

Also, make sure the way the thread comes off the spool is the same way you sew it.

Just like ruffling a hair backwards if you don't pay attention.

I hand quilt and about every 20 stitches I twist the needle and thread the opposite way it is twisting. This untwists the thread and prevents knotting. If that doesn't help, I clip about 1 inch off the end of the thread - sometimes the end gets a little frayed and causes knotting. I stopped using Americana thread because it was causing bearding and excessive knotting. I am now using a Guetterman hand quilting thread and it doesn't beard or knot as much.

I mistakenly bought the Americana thread thinking I could use it in my machine. It doesn't say anything on the label about being a hand quilting thread so I have 6 spools of this stuff. I luckily found out not to use it in my machine before I started sewing. I am going to buy the Thread Magic so I can hopefully get rid of this stuff before I die! That's going to be a lot of hand sewing.

I use bees wax on my thread and it helps a lot. I buy it in this neat little container at Joanns.

That is what I use too. I use the old Dual Duty quilting thread and I still run it thru the Thread Magic. It is sold at JAF. Be sure to let you thread uncurl ever so often when you notice it curling as you stitch. That will also prevent any knots from forming. HATE THEM because I can NEVER get them undone !!

I'd also suggest 18 inch lengths of thread. That has always been my guideline - that and threading the needle before i cut it off the spool then knotting the cut end right away so i get the thread going the "right" way.

I run my thread through either bee's wax or the thread heaven, usually the wax.

I use the americana thread as well if its the color I want at the time. Also use Thread Heaven; thread from the most recently cut end from the spool; use about 18 inch length and let it hang upside down if it gets really tangly.

Sometimes I still get tangles/knots. Oh well.

I USE THE bee's wax thing also.

My thread used to tangle really bad until I read about this. Thread all your needles on the spool at one time without cutting. Then cut your length & knot each needle. I was amazed at the difference it made!

The way thread is manufactured and wound on the spool now makes the threading the same way it comes off the spool not important. There is no right or wrong end. I use short lengths of thread when binding. I thread 30 or more needles at a time on the same thread and cut as needed.

I think the thread conditioner I just is in a little blue box is called Thread Heaven. It helps a lot with all kinds of hand sewing. I usually have several little boxes around.

These are the things that help me. Don't cut off too much thread from wrist to elbow is about right. Be sure to knot the spool end of the thread. You also have to unwind the thread a little......every time I pull my thread thru I turn my needle. I use Mettler or Guenterman (spelling?) thread and I don't wax.

I too do not sew binding without "Magic Thread". I run it thru the wax a couple of times, then run it thru my fingers to distribute the wax before knotting the thread.

I'm not sure about now, but in the past, thread definitely had a nap, so it should be sewn as it comes off the spool (knot end toward spool).

Some manufacturers may have altered their process so the practice no longer applies. I'd still do it if I were you, just in case you happen to be sewing with a manufacturer's line that hasn't implemented the process yet...or in case you happen to be using an old spool of thread.

I hand-sew bindings with the same thread I piece with -- cotton covered polyester.

I agree, you should knot the end coming from the spool. When I don't I always have problems. Also use the wax on my thread. Makes life a lot easier!

I, too, use Thread Heaven. If I get a knot as I am sewing, since the thread is coated, the knot usually is easy to get out. I never hand sew without first coating my thread with Thread Heaven.