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Hi everybody, new to the forum, was just looking for a little help, im starting to stitch a dimensions baby drawers birth record (#73538)

In their instructions it say to take 2 strands, thread them through the needle and leave a 3 inch tail on one side (link to pic below) i find it difficult to stitch like this so have been threading the needle and just tying a knot in the end and using this which i feel more comfortable with.

For the stitches where it says to use 2 strands should i be using 1 folded over and tied or 2? Ive done a few stitches already and i think it looks a bit bare, just wanted another opinion

Hi Kirsty and welcome to the forum.

I just use 1thread and fold it over, i also use the loop start method, as for the 3 inch tail you could always make it longer.

At the end of the day its what ever you are most comfortable with

Happy stitching

Hello and welcome to the forum from South Carolina. When starting a new thread I thread it as suleigh has said and use the loop method for securing it. This YouTube on Loop Stitch will explain how to do it. You can also do a search on the forum to get more information.
If I am reusing a thread I do it very much like your instructions suggest. Generally knotting thread isn't suggested as a way to secure threads as it could get bulky and if you have a lot of different threads can make the back difficult to get needles through. But doing what you find most comfortable is what matters most. I hope you will be posting pictures of your work for us to see.

Carole

I have been stitching for man years and when I first started I would knot my thread, as you have said a very small knot. That was back before I knew how to get on the net and ask for help. I now find that the suggestions that the ladies have already given it the best way to start a thread. I really love the loop method for stitching with even number threads. For uneven threads I will start by running the needle and thread under 3 to 5 stitches I then turn and skipping the first stitch I run the needle and thread back under those same stitches to anchor the thread.

To end a thread I use this same technique to secure my thread.

I use the loop method also. I usually bury my end and trim off when finishing.

I use a mixture of both. If its a block of colour I can stitch using one strand I loop it, if it's a bigger colour block I use two strands. I don't knot my ends though.

If I've done a section and need to stitch higher up for example like 38 squares up and there's nothing stitched in between I use the loop method then too as i find it so much easier to count it that way. Just count up need in hole pull through need through loop at the back.

As every one else has said though. There's not right or wrong way just do it the way works for you. I have a scarp piece of fabric that I always use to try things out on saves messing up your project