I didn't know this!! Did you know this????
 

I was just reading on http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/ and found this little tip about applique that I don't remember ever seeing before:

"Do you sometimes have problems with your thread knotting up and becoming tangled while you are stitching? It may just be because you have threaded your needle with the wrong end of your thread!!! If you are left handed, like I am, you should thread your needle using the end that you cut ...not the end that comes off your cotton reel! If you are right handed you should thread your needle with the end that comes directly off your cotton reel. "

Now if only I can remember this!

Carol B

I did know that you should tie the knot in the end that comes off your spool first. And it works.

Yup, learned that more than 50 years ago. Works every time. :)

Yes I do that, but still get knots sometimes unless I use bee's wax.

Yes I did know that. I am very careful to put the end that comes off the spool through the needle - usually I do that before I cut the thread. Then I make the knot where you bring the thread around, wrap it around the needle a few times and pull it down the thread. It makes such a neat knot. Then I slide the thread through my fingers from needle to end. Sometime during the sewing process, I let the needle dangle for the thread to untangle. That seems to help prevent knots for the most part.

i've been doing it so long, it is a habit. i had heard that tip years ago. thanks for sharing it.

I did know about the method if you are right handed and never gave a thought to reversing if you are left handed. Interesting! I will sometimes put several needles onto the thread while still on the spool and then just slide them back as I take them off one at a time with the desired amount of thread. That way I don't have to worry about forgetting which end of the thread to put through the eye. Ann in TN

I did not know that - thanks for sharing.

With the newer brand threads this isn't an issue any more. The manufacturing process has changed. I still thread from the spool for all hand sewing, just a habit.

I do 'Knot the end you Kut' (my mnemonic) (I'm right-handed) and when my hand needles come out so does the Thread Heaven. And all the kitties come out when they see my hand sewing stuff so they can 'help' me. LOL

Never heard that, thanks.

I never heard about the difference if you are right- or left-handed. Still trying to wrap my head around that idea.

Who would have tunk...

Sounds like BS to me....LOL...but if it works for you.....by all means go for it!

I did know this but it is worth bringing up for those who did not know.

I am going to try it - I am plagued with knots despite using thread conditioner and being very careful. Nothing more annoying that having to take out perfectly good binding stitches because of a darned knot!!

I 'knot the end i kut' also. seams to make a diff in hand quilting. and i use wax on my thread. i think it is called something else. in a little blue sq. box. almost out of it now.

I am right handed and I do just as you say. Knot the end I cut. I had never heard of the lefties doing the opposite. Very interesting... I will say this. I use the beeswax on my thread and it helps. But, I found that if I allow the thread tail to lay onto the fabric as I am sewing it doesn't twist up as much and I have less trouble with knots.

It's because of the direction of the twist of (most) threads...which is why it makes no sense to me to reverse the ends if you're left handed. The thread is still being pulled through the fabric in the same direction whether you use your right or left hand, or foot for that matter.

This is all new to me. Thanks for the enlightenment.

I'm with Ghostrider- seems like it goes thru the fabric on the needle the same way whether you are right or left handed! And what do we do if we hand sew with what is left on our bobbin? I have a feeling that could be the opposite of pulling off the spool, but am not sufficiently awake to figure it out right now!! :)

Same thing happens with embroidery floss. Run your pinched fingers down the strand of embroidery floss and it should feel smooth. If it feels 'rougher', thread from the other end. Handy to know if you are doing hand applique.

I learned this in High School. To many years to count.

Now that's brilliant!!!! Saves hunting for my super-duper up-close reading glasses.

I run my through a fabric softener sheet...works for me..

Thanks for the tip about threading mutiple needles....will try this. It should save time and frustration...it's getting harder to thread a needle (even w/helpers) the older I get!

Learn something new everyday.

I did not know that. Thanks for telling us.:thumbup:

I fail to see how that makes a difference---isn't the end that comes off the reel ALSO the end that was cut (from the previous length of thread)? I'm just sayin'...

I, for one, have never heard that. So I am right handed, and I should thread from the end that comes off the spool first. Guess I was just lucky since that is the way I always do it. But I still have to wax to insure no tangles.

I do have that problem. I had heard that advise before, but I could not remember how it went. I was going to work on some needle turn applique today, so I will try it out. Thanks for posting it.

Now that you have jogged my memory, I do recall hearing this but only for the right handed person. Great reminder

Thanks for the tip! :)

This one was a new tip to me. Now, just need to remember it! Think I will print it out and put it with my thread and another copy with my needles.

Another did you know?

Did you know that your needle has a deeper indentation on one side than on the other?
That's why sometimes a needle threads easily and sometimes it doesn't.

So if I'm having a hard time threading, maybe flip the needle? Too kewl! Thanks

I've been quilting almost 50 years and never heard that before. Thanks. QB is the best teacher around

I knew about the thread, but had forgotten. I watched how I work and I do it correctly - and I'm left handed. Believe me, lefties do sew somewhat differently - I start at the other end, sewing toward myself and it does make a difference in how that piece of thread 'unravels'. Needles are punched out of sheets and that's why there is a very definite front and back of them. If you're having trouble threading your needle, gently rotate it in your fingers and try again - from the other side. Should make a big difference.