How Long Should I Cut My Floss?

[Daycare]

Finally getting around to starting this project after almost a year break. The DMC floss is very long, so I guess I have to cut it. How long should I cut it? Kits are always pre-cut, so this is new to me.

[destructiveernie]

i usually cut threads in kits in half and try to work with lengths of no more than 12 inches, usually about 8 inches ish.

[MaggieM1750]

I cut lengths around 12-16". Nothing really accurate. I don't want to be filling my needle all the time but I also don't want it too long for twisting and knotting. I once heard that a good measure is the length from your hand to your elbow.

[thatrabbitgirl]

I cut my threads longer than most people do, it seems. I measure the thread by holding the end in my left hand and pulling the thread up my arm and across my chest to my right shoulder and cutting it there. It ends up being about 36 inches.

I may have started doing it that way because I stitched a lot of kits when I first started cross-stitching, and the threads in Dimensions kits are often cut to 36 inches, so I think I just got used to working with that length...

[rcperryls]

I measure mine by the bobbin container that I use, so I'm not sure how long I cut the thread. I do cut it twice the size I want and then double it so I have a loop at one end for securing the thread. If I have to cut the thread then the loop is gone, but I would guess the length is usually 16 inches?? maybe a little longer. I am using about half that amount though for threads that I am having to park because I don't like having too long of thread hanging. I hope this makes sense.

Carole

[Rose]

I do the same thing as Alice...(aka Rabbitgirl)

[kimkat_tkl]

I have a bit of string that is 50cm long (20in) that I use to measure the length I cut. It's a nice length to use as is and still provides a reasonable length when doubled over to use the loop start. At that length with a skein of DMC being 8m long, if I cut each length reasonably acurately I don't end up with the last length being much shorter.

[Tia]

I usually cut mine 18-20" or if it's tangling a lot then maybe 15".

[Mystonique]

A tip with DMC skeins is to unravel it, half it, half it again and again until you have just less than an arms length and that is a pretty good length I find - means all your lengths are even and you don't end up with a really short length at the end.

[Carole]

I have a length of cord that's one metre long which I use to measure out my DMC. I double that so I have a looped end for my start. I find that's a nice length to stitch with and I know I'll get eight lengths from a skein.

Before threading the single length, I do check how many stitches of that colour I'm going to be doing. If there are only a few within easy reach, I know that I can cut off half or a third of that length quite easily, and leave the remainder for if I need a small amount for another area. That way I can usually always do a looped start.

[BizzieLizzie]

I measure the thread by holding the end in my left hand and pulling the thread up my arm and across my chest to my right shoulder and cutting it there.

I do the same, but I measure it to my nose (always makes hubby laugh!) then put the two ends of the strand together and use the loop method to start stitching.

[Raine]

I hold the end in my right hand, stretch my arm out and measure to my nose, hold it there with my left thumb and forefinger as a mark and cut (after lowering it away from my face!) I use the loop start method so I end up working with half that length. I feel kind of silly doing it, as if I were doing a sobriety test along the highway (not that I've ever had to do that) but it works for me.

[Fizzbw]

I tend to use the frame I'm generally working with - now 18" to measure my thread length - but often I just cut where it feels right - some days I go longer, others shorter!

Metallics are much shorter lengths - maybe 10 -12 inches.

Niki x

[carolanne]

If I'm stitching with 2 strands, I like it cut to about 36 ins. and then I double 1 strand and and start with the loop method. I love having learned this. It cuts the fluff on the back at least by half.

[catleya2000]

if i cut it too long it wears away and eventually cuts

[coffee_freak]

i cut 12 inches..and use the loop method so it folds to 6 inches..I'm sooooo picky about tangles,knots..etc..i'm overly cautious..lol

[Corey.G]

Wow. I'm surprised how long most people cut their threads. Makes me seem cheap lol. I usually measure mine to my elbow at the most. I hate knots and I don't do the loop start. I just secure the end in the first couple stitches.

[Nachstenliebe]

I usually do the length of three stitchbows.. twice around the stitch bow and then a little extra is usually where I cut it.. not sure how long that makes it
Faith

[LadyS]

I never cut all 6 strands out of my DMC bobbin, I cut a single strand in it about 20-25 inches in, pull that single strand out and fold for a loop start. If I'm gonna confetti that I know will use little thread I use half that length. Each time I need that color I see where I had previously cut it and cut at the same point.

When my bobbin is almost over I measure it to make sure I don't get a short length at the very end. If working with 3 threads I cut it shorter, and take one strand at a time out of the bobbin, leaving the other 3 intact till I need to return to that color. I don't like having pieces of my thread spread around or out of the bobbin.

Oh, and if after using a length of thread I have enough left over that I could still stitch with I roll it on the bobbin and use that first.

[maeflowers]

I feel a bit silly.
When I first started out I was doing it all on my own (and with no forum!) and I would take the entire length of floss and cut it in half, then again, then again and then take those lengths and wrap them as one around a bobbin. When I needed some, I'd unroll the whole thing, take out one section (of 6 threads), pull out the two that I need, roll up the others, and then roll up the section of 4 remaining threads over that. Confused? Me, too.

But NOW, I roll the entire thing up without cutting it. Then when I need some, I unroll it just to how far I need, snip, roll the rest back up, pull out 2 threads, and then take the remaining 4 threads and wrap them around the rest on the bobbin.

As for how much to cut, the first way (I used to do it), you don't have to measure because they are already cut, but at the beginning the floss is too long and gets knotted up a lot. I would definitely try out what others have said and cut to your elbow. Because I really just eyeball it depending on how much I am going to use. And also I do not use a loop, I just secure the end under some other stitches, or the stitches I first make with that floss.