1st stitch??

[mumof2littleboys]

Hi everyone, u will be fed up with me asking questions!! But how do u start ur 1st stitch of a new colour?? do u tie a knot at back or do u tuck thread under1st stitch at back. im just a little frightened that when i was my finished product that the stitches will come undone if ive not done them properly

[RosemaryH]

Eithermtuck the end of the thread under the stitch or use a loop start. Loop starts are the tidiest way of doing it.

Rosemary

[Sarah Gixxer]

I always use loop starts. Cut the thread twice as long as you need, pull out one strand and fold it double. Thread the two ends through the needle, stitch the first half of your cross leaving the loop at the back and then slide the needle through the loop, pull firm and then carry on stitching.

[Lessa54]

I always use loop starts. Cut the thread twice as long as you need, pull out one strand and fold it double. Thread the two ends through the needle, stitch the first half of your cross leaving the loop at the back and then slide the needle through the loop, pull firm and then carry on stitching.

I usually use loop starts as well, however to note that this only works when you're stitching with even numbers of strands - ie, 2, 4, 6 etc and with blended colours, you have to be stitching with 4 plus strands. Otherwise, I leave a tail at the back and stitch over as I go.

[Angel]

I almost always use loop starts myself, although I did start by using the waste knot method.

You make a knot on your stitching side of the fabric, then run the needle and thread along on the underside, stitch over your tail and cut the knot off. Never come undone on me before.

[kell]

If I'm using an even number of threads, I always use the loop start. If an uneven number, I leave a tail at the back and make sure my stitches go over it to anchor it in place.

[kerbear879]

Since I usually use 3 strands, I do the tail method also..just leave a tail and stitch over it. I haven't had anything come undone yet!

[MaggieM1750]

I leave enough extra thread so that I will stitch over it with my next 3 or 4 stitches. I rarely knot- I feel the piece does not lay as nice when I am done with it and frame it.

Even if I am only doing one stitch, I will leave enough of a tail so that I can zig zag it with my stitch. I have never had problems with stitches coming undone when I wash it at the end.

[Squirrel]

I use the tail method always, never could work out how to do the loop method but now I've read a clear instruction on this post I may try that.


Don't orry about asking questions, its the way we learn, even us oldies who have been stitching for a long time.

Squirrel

[Rose]

I use all different methods for starting and that includes making a knot if I decide that is my best method.


This site is here so that we can answer the questions that fellow stitchers have. Please if you have a question ask it. We love to feel smart when we have a good answer!!!!

[Nachstenliebe]

I'm going to have to youtube the loop start method. I have a picture in my head from the description but I need a visual to fully grasp it I do the tail end method. I do knot the if I'm using blending filament and whatnot but I leave the knot as far away as I can so I can snip it off afterwards. There was a small cross-stitch course offered in my middle school and I remember the teacher having a coronary if anyone knotted the end. It's embedded in my head now not to.. she also was very strict about starting in the middle of the project.. that too has stuck with me
Faith

[ttluisa]

I tuck the thread into the fabric

[Lessa54]

I tuck the thread into the fabric

This is a new one on me. Do you have a diagram or explanation about it? It sounds intriguing and would love to know how it works.

[Kezzy]

I use the loop method if I am using an even number of strands or the same colour otherwise I leave a tail long enough to be covered by a few stitches - so far I have never had any stitching come undone. It's each to their own I suppose!

[Serinde]

I do whatever is simplest: away knot, loop method (from the top, naughty me!) or slip it under previously stitched bits. As long as it's neat and stays put.

[Angel]

I almost always use an equal number of threads for cross stitch. So what I do is take one strand, fold it in half and fold both ends through your needle. This leaves a hoop at the other end, so I take my needle up through the aida, back down and through the loop, pull it taunt. Voila, the start is secure. When I do backstitch I run the threaded needle under the pre stitched area same as when I finish it.

[cinderella4282]

When stitching with an number, I use the loop start. On my HAED I am using one thread so I am tucking the thread under the other stitches on the back and securing it. I might try the tail stitch over method though. It would make the back much less bulky.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Whenever I use an even number of strands, I always use a loop start. If I use one strand I leave a tail and stitch over it. On my miniature work this is too fiddly, so i use a waste knot -- which is basically the tail method but with the knot temporarily holding the tail in place until you've anchored it.
I generally don't use knots, but when I have to start a single strand for backstitch, I take it under a few stitches at the back, then loop it over and under the last of these, which anchors it:

[burgundyice]

Well it seems I'm the naughtiest person on here as I ALWAYS start and end with knots Not had any problems with bulkiness on the back or coming undone

Louise

[Rose]

I don't always start or stop with a knot but if I need to for my own piece of mind I will as burgundy has said I have never had a problem with bulkiness. So most of my projects have a mixture of knots, loop method, and tucking tails under other stitches.