Questions about the Pinhead Stitch

[JA Fan]

I've been reading the tips on Scarlet Quince (link below) about the Pinhead Stitch and I'm thinking of trying it out for ending my threads, especially where there are confetti stitches. The back of my current project is getting a little bulky with all the thread ends woven in.

So I'm my questions are:
1) Is the Pinhead Stitch secure enough for ending threads?
2) Since I'm currently working with Aida, and there is no convenient "middle hole," how awkward is it to do? I have read that it is possible to use it with Aida.
3) What do you think of the Pinhead Stitch in general?

I would be grateful for your opinions on this.
Thanks!

http://www.scarletquince.com/pinhead_linen_end.php" target="_blank"

[LadyS]

I haven't tried the pinhead exactly to finish (have for start many times, on both eveweave and aida) but I sometimes do a pseudo secured finish by running the thread under 3 stitches and then going back one stitch and running it again, that way I don't need to run it longer through the back of the project that's already a bit bulky.

I just starting doing this with my BAPs and I hope it's secure enough.

[Lessa54]

I don't use the pinhead stitch to finish either, but have been using it extensively to start threads on my SQ. It at least halves the number of points I need for running threads under stitches. I'm also doing my SQ on aida. You have to pierce the middle of the fabric, but it's not too difficult to do. I'm three pages in and still finding it ok to use.

On finishing, I suspect I have ends that are secured only by the other ends of threads jumping to points to weave in! However, nothing's come loose yet so hoping that will continue.

[JA Fan]

It looks like the pinhead stitch is little used for finishing a thread so I don't think I'll do it. I will try your way, LadyS.

Thank-you for your replies. It was much appreciated!

[Fizzbw]

I use it for finishing threads, especially lone confetti stitches or ones that are all on their own, in fact I can start and finish the same stitch with the pinhead stitch! On both aida and even weave.

I've never had an issue with it coming loose and I just snip off the tail pretty short onthe backside. It's a great thing to know how to use and a really good addition to my knowledge bank.

I tend to start every thread with an adapted pin head stitch, where the first arm of the cross stitch goes down through the middle to anchor it, and the other arm covers this up and that works really well as well. Unless I'm starting with the loop method

Practise a bit, it really is a great stitch!

Niki xxx

[JA Fan]

Thanks, Niki. Maybe I will try it after all. I use (and love) the loop method to start and wanted to find a way to finish without all those woven tails --especially where there is a lot of confetti!