I am teaching a hand quilting class at one of the local LQS shops. Some of the ladies that sign up for this class already know the basics to hand quilting so I was surprised to hear that they never heard of running their needle and thread through a dryer sheet first to keep it from tangeling.

Just curious, am I the only one that uses this technique??

Thanks for the tip!

my grandma taught me to use beeswax...i still have the cake she used to use

I'm a beeswax gal too.

Never heard of using a dryer sheet before. My goodness, dryer sheets have tons of uses, don't they!

I've tried beewax & so many other things & my thread still tangles & knots up when I'm doing the handsewing part of binding. I'm willing to give this a try too.

I will definately be trying this soon...thanks for the tip :-)

Thanks for the tip. I have been hand sewing for years and had never heard that before...guess you can teach this old dog a new trick *L* I have run my thread thru wax before. I just save an old candle for that.
Happy Stitchin' crafty_linda_b

Thanks so much for this tip as I will be trying it soon.
Nancy

Now to find someone that uses dryer sheets so I can steal one!

just got new beeswax, didn't know about the dryer sheet.

we should have a helpful tip section, like swaps, recipes ect, that would be helpful

Never used this method.

New to me--use beeswax.
Now I have to find someone to steal one from, as I hang all my clothes out!

It also helps if you thread the needle from the end AWAY from the spool, not where you just cut it off. I don't know why, but it works for me.

I was taught to knot the end you cut from the spool.

I use the finger moistioner or Tacky Fingers from the office supply store. Works great to keep thread from tangling.

The very best thing I have used to keep the thread from tangling is Thread Heaven. My sister told me about it and it works really well.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/de...=Thread+Heaven

I use beeswax and let the thread un-spin itself when the thread starts to tangle.

Good idea! I use one to rub lightly on my hair when it gets staticy - also remember being told:

OFF THE SPOOL AND INTO THE NEEDLE. Meaning the first end off the spool is the one to put through the needle - but you got that, right? :oops:

I have used a new and used dryer sheet to help prevent tangling. Sometimes it works great, sometimes not so great. I have come to the conclusion that it is more operator error than anything. LOL!!

Will try this! Have same round of beeswax for umpteen years, just tried Thread Heaven, and when I can, I let the thread dangle. Gotta try the off the spool into the needle tip.

I use a product from Hancock Fabric called "Thread Heaven." It comes in a little dark blue box, and it works great for me. Seems to last forever, too.

I use Thread Heaven. It's great. The quality thread made now has no right or wrong ends. I have been using the waxed thread for hand sewing bindings. It is used for fly fishing lures, it's thin and never knots or twists. I bought a set of 12 different color spools.

I use beeswax and it works beautifully. I never have tangles.

And I always thread my needle before cutting the thread off the spool. Then it is always going the right way. That's the way the fibers lay. If you do it the other way you are raising fibers that will cause tangling.

Never heard of that one - great tip, thank you!

Great idea - thanks - I have always used beeswax - or Thread Heaven (I think it is the same thing).

I read through the whole thread to see if anyone would ask, and no one did, so here goes . . . do you use a new dryer sheet or a used one?

I had never heard of tis, but will definitely try it. I don't like using wax or Thread Heaven. It makes the thread feel "heavy" to me. I finally figured out that I give my needle a little twist when I'm pulling the thread through, which causes the twisting. I just have to let the thread hang every once in a while.

I start with an unused dryer sheet and use it until I notice that it is no longer working. I try to thread the needle through a different section of the dryer sheet each time too. :)

Never heard of that one! I've only used beeswax. ;) Thanks for the tip!! :thumbup:

It's like you read my mind! I was miserable last night thinking there must be a better way... !!

I need a leather thing for my fingertip too

Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the tip

Bees wax or a candle, dryer sheet..works for i guess oh chapstick works good to

I use beeswax. When I can't find my beeswax, sometimes I will run it through a bar of soap or a candle.

never heard that.

I use Thread Heaven, works great.

I use the little bitty blue box of beading wax - thread heaven....it helps strengthen the thread as well.

Big difference if you knot the end nearest the spool. It has to do with how the machines twist the thread.

thanks for the tip!

I use a dryer sheet too.