How to Tie Off Embroidery Thread Without Double Strings

Tying off embroidery thread can be a bit tricky, especially if you want to avoid having double strings. This guide will walk you through the proper technique to ensure neatness and secure stitching. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced embroiderer, these steps will help you achieve a professional look in your work.

Prepare Your Thread

Start with a single strand of embroidery thread. If you're using six-strand floss, separate the strands as needed. Typically, two or three strands are sufficient for most embroidery projects. Separating the strands this way allows you to control the thickness of your thread, which is crucial for achieving the desired look and feel in your embroidery.

Thread the Needle

Take the end of the thread and thread it through the needle's eye. Make sure the thread is properly seated in the eye of the needle to prevent it from slipping out.

Knotting the Thread

To avoid creating double strings, follow these steps for forming a secure knot:

Take the tail end of the thread (the end that is not threaded through the needle) and wrap it around the main length of the thread. Wrap it once or twice, depending on the thickness of the thread. Thread the tail end through the loop you have created. Pull the tail end tightly to form a knot. Ensure the knot is close to the end of the thread to maintain a neat appearance.

Note: This method forms a secure knot without doubling the thread, so your embroidery will have a clean, professional finish.

Secure the Knot: Pull the knot tight to secure it. Make sure the knot is close to the end of the thread to ensure a neat appearance.

Start Embroidering

With the knot secure, you can now start your embroidery. The knot will sit at the back of your fabric, and you'll have a single strand of thread to work with. This technique ensures that you have a neat and consistent starting point for your embroidery.

Tips: For longer stitching sessions, you can sew without stopping to rethread by building up the bobbin with additional thread. This method allows you to work for extended periods without needing to constantly rethread the needle.

Alternative Techniques for Securing Your Thread

Here are a few alternative methods for securing your thread during embroidery:

Loop Method

This method works well for projects requiring two strands of thread.

Thread both ends of a single thread through the eye of the needle. Bring your needle up through the fabric and back down, leaving a small loop on the back. Thread your needle through the loop and pull snug. Continue stitching. To end your thread, go under several stitches on the back or use pin stitches.

Pros: Quick, secure, and no knot.
Cons: If you pull too tight, you can get puckering. On loose weave fabrics, the loop can pop up to the surface. Not suitable for variegated threads as it obscures the beauty of the variegation.

Away Knot with Pin Stitches

This method is ideal for areas that will be covered by stitching.

Tie a knot in the tail end of your thread. Sink your needle from the top of the fabric a little bit away from the area you are going to stitch. Leave the knot on the top of the fabric. Make two or three tiny pin stitches in the area you are going to cover with embroidery.
I like to make these in a T shape so that the second pin stitch pierces the first one. Stitch as normal. If you want to end your thread, gently tug on the knot and cut it off. End your threads by going under a few stitches on the back or make two more pin stitches in the next area covered and cut the excess thread.

Pros: Very tidy, can be used for reversible embroidery, leaves no knots anywhere, and very secure with pin stitches.
Cons: If you are not careful when cutting the knot off, you can slip and cut the fabric. The knot can be difficult to remove if you need to unstitch something.

Starting a Thread: Away Waste Knot

Once you are getting close to the end of your thread, you can weave the tail through the last few stitches. I like to do this through 5 or 6 stitches before snipping the end.

Pros: No knots, secure, and easy.
Cons: If you don’t go through at least 5 stitches, you can have slipping over the course of years. If you plan on washing the embroidered object, go through more stitches on the back.

By mastering these techniques, you can ensure that your embroidery projects have a professional and polished finish. Experiment with different methods to find the one that suits your style and the project at hand.