Thanks for the tip. I just started english paper piecing so this is going to come in handy.

Never heard of this trick. Thanks for sharing because it is one that I will start using. :o)

Frist time I've heard this. I will give it a try. Thanks

omg, THANK YOU ! I have a small gift shop where I usually sew while I am there and I have no customers. Yesterday I could not even pull the thread 1 time with out geting it knotted up. I was so mad, I just put it away with a knot in the thread.

This has something to do with the way the thread is spun. It's like going against the grain on velvet and causes lots more lint from the tug on the thread. Don't remember the details or where I got the info. Think it was an article about making thread. But I don't remember which end. I think the one away from the spool. Sorry about the brain hiccup.

God bless dryer sheets. I use them to line my gardening pots to keep soil from running out the bottom. Also, in a pinch i have used them for a soft stabilizer when doing machine embroidery. I save all from the dryer.

Do you have to run the thread called "hand quilting" through wax or dryer sheets too? Or just regular sewing thread?

Good tips. Thanks

WE always ran pins/needles through our hair. We had to do this frequently while holding a wiggling toddler to diaper.

To all who said "off the spool and into the needle" and to knot the end last off the spool you are right. It does have to do with how the thread is made/twisted while being made.

I didn't know this trick, but will be trying it soon. I do a lot of cross stitch/embroidery so am hoping it works the same on floss.

Thanks!

Same here.

I purchase thread at a quilt shop that had been waxed. Was impressed by how good it worked and how it did not tangle.

Reminder -- just don't use that one in your machine. It'll gunk up the machinery in there. Someone had that caution out a while back.

I was taught by my mother to thread the end of the thread in your right hand as you pull it from the spool into the needle, just as Lacelady said. Not the cut end. Works fine for me. I have used beeswax on the threads too, strengthens the thread and makes it slide through the fabric. If you run your fingers down thread, one way it will be smooth and the opposite way it will feel a bit rougher. You want it going into the fabric the smooth way. Same trick works for yarn.

A basic sewing tip.

Carol J.

Thanks, that is a good tip. I'll try feeling my yarn and threads.

I have not heard of this, but I will keep it in
my memory library for future reference when the
time comes that I am hand sewing. Thank you.

Thanks for the tip!!!!

Wow, I've never heard of this! I use a piece of wax, or thread conditioner. I'll keep that tip in mind, Thanks!

Beeswax....but I'm from the old school....
I don't buy dryer sheets.....toooo costly...

I have always used beeswax. I still have a piece of wax from my daddy's beehive. I always thread my needle before I cut thread. I am going to try the dryer sheet, tho. Thanks for the tip.

This is a new one for me, but I do knot the end cut from the spool. I also rotate which end I knot while using. Ex: if I knot & cut the thread to start over somewhere else , I knot the "short" end, and continue in this manner.

I've never heard of using a dryer sheet. Will have to give it a try. Thanks for the tip. :lol:

I had never heard that. Thank you.

Never heard about dryer sheets! I have tried the little blue box (Thread Heaven) and so have a few others in our quilt group and no one can tell any difference...it doesn't work for us :0(

'Thread off the spool and into the needle's eye' also works for me. In fact, when I'm hand quilting/appliquing I thread several needles onto the thread still attached to the spool then knot the free end. When ready to use I pull off the length of thread I want to use, cut it and reknot the thread attached to the spool which secures the remaining needles previously threaded. Usually much easier to thread several at a time than later threading one at a time when the lighting might not be as good and your steadiness is A-1.

That's because of the thread twist. Knot the end of the thread that comes off the spool last. Knotting the loose end goes against the twist and causes more twisting and wear when pulled through fabric.

I use Thread Heaven, the modern substitute for beeswax.

Sandy

Thank you for the tip! I love getting tips!

TreeFrog

Never heard that one but I will sure do it now. Thanks for the tip

Great tip. I had the whole knotting thing wrong until a couple of months ago when an expert appliquer set me straight.

For hand quilting, I use already-waxed thread which helps.

I didn't notice an answer if you needed to use new or used dryer sheets and would like to know!

Pat in Atlanta

Thanks -will try that one.

Thanks for the tip. A tangled thread is so frustrating!

I usually use beeswax, but will give a dryer sheet a try. Thanks for the tip!

I thread the needle and knot at the end you are suppose to and the other quilter's in our group knot the same way but still no difference with the Thread Heaven. I use YLI thread that comes on the wooden spool and love it!! It has a stiff feel to it! One of the Quilter's told us recently about threading several needle on the spool of thread! She had learned it from a quilt speaker. I had forgot about it until you just reminded me!!

Thanks for the tip, never thought about trying that! Also, thank you all for setting me straight on the "which end to thread" topic too.

Awesome tip Thanks so much for sharing Great ideal for a section on tips. Beeswax is all I have used but also I have ran my needle thru my hair. Hey whatever works lol

Great tips! I agree with lynnie on having a helpful tip section as I am sure that there are lots of helpful tips that many of us have never heard of. We have learned to quilt by different teachers, in different parts of the country(s)and at different times over the span of many years. Thanks for the tips!

Most of the special "hand quilting threads" are already waxed or coated with a silicone mixture when producing them. The wax is not longer necessary and the coating also makes the thread stronger. You can read "glazed cotton" on the spools very often.

I use Thread Heaven or candle wax. I'll be trying the dryer sheet soon. Thanks for the tip!

there is a product called Thread Heaven---comes in a very small blue box about 1 inch square--jusr slide the thread over the contents and the thread slides smooth and never tangles or frays

WOW! I didn't know about this and will try it today. thanks a lot..