Dealing with knots:
Ok, so you're sewing, things are going well, and then you get a knot in your thread. Here are some tips for dealing with the pesky little buggers:
1. Avoid them all together: As you sew, your thread will begin to twist. This makes the thread knot. To fix this problem, every so often, let go of your needle and let it hang by the thread. This will allow it to un-twist itself, which will, in turn minimize your knots.
2. The simple knot: the most common knot you'll get is also the easiest to deal with. First of all, *be gentle!!!!* pulling tightly at a knot is the easiest way to make it stronger!!! Simply put your needle through the loop and gently tug at one thread. If that doesn't straighten it out, keep the needle in place and gently tug at the other thread. Nine times out of ten, it will unravel itself. Never tug at it or you will end up with an impossible knot!
3. Freaky knots: Every so often you'll end up with a bizarre knot of sorts with several knots all wrapped around themselves. Use the principle of point two. Choose a loop, and follow procedure 2. If that doesn't work, ease your needle into another loop and try again.
4. Twisty end knots: Sometimes the loose end of the thread will knot itself around the main thread. This is not cool. The best way to handle such knots is to run the knot up to the eye of the needle, cut the thread just below it, and rethread.
It's hard to describe these techniques, so if anyone is interested, I'll take photos of knots as I get them and photos of me getting them out...so, uh, is anyone interested?
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4 comments:
I just checked on you tube. they have a couple of hemming stitches (and back and running stitch) but the untying a knot is not there, maybe next time I am over I could tape you with the camera and we can upload that. What do you think?
We'll have to wait until I start my next project for that, I'm afraid. No photos of this one allowed :-)
You know I try really hard to follow rule number one but some how my thread seams to sabotage me every time
I only just found this blog--how delightful, thanks for starting it. Another way to avoid knots in the first place--use tip #1. Threads waxed with beeswax are less likely to knot up, which makes for happier sewing...
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