Another Thread Question

[Snip Snip]

When hand sewing/finishing a binding on your quilt, do you use the same type thread you have in the machine? I have always had problems with my thread tangling and catching and knotting; seems I spend half my time untangling the thread while hand sewing. Last night I decided to pull the thread over a white candle, after I let the thread hang untied to "unwind" and that helped, but even that should not be a necessary step in hand sewing, should it? Is it the brand of thread? (Coats and Clarks Dual Duty)

[RiverMomm]

I use the same thread and have found it is easier to use shorter lengths to control the tangle issues. I also hold my needle up after I have threaded it and let my thread relax (uncurl at bit) before sewing.

Santa put a little pot of Thread Heaven in my stocking this year. I haven't tried it yet but have heard it helps.

[Granny Fran]

I was taught that anything over 18 or so inches will cause problems, so that is what I do. I remember my granny using bees wax to tame her thread and somewhere here I might still have some. LOL RiverMomm has the right idea.

[Sandy Navas]

You can buy little bits of beeswax at JoAnns (and other shops, I'm certain) - just pull your thread over it.

[amber1957]

I use coats and clark for binding sometimes it does get knotty. I found that threading the needle from the spool before you cut it helps the tangling. I don't usually go over 18 inches and I use thread conditioner.

[TamiLee]

I always use the "hand quilting" thread (I believe it's by Coats and Clark); it has a special 'coating' already on it, to help with not tangling and knotting - not unlike pulling it trough "Thread Haven" or "beeswax"; it just eliminates that step. And I cut a terrifically long piece of thread when I sew! (I just hate having to knot, rethread, hide the knot, etc.!!)

It does work quite well; I have it in all the colors!!

[Snip Snip]

Thanks for the quick answers! I hate the knotting and starting again aspect, too.

[klgls]

Be sure to thread your needle with the thread as it come off the spool (don't use the end you cut off the spool to thread the needle). If you find you are having tangles - try re-threading with the opposite end.

[RiverMomm]

I guess I should have said "I use the same thread that I used to piece the quilt in the machine". I try to use Aurifil thread but have used Coats and Clarks and other brands in the past.

I understand you not wanting to start over with the knots. I have sort of dealt with this by using the "wrap around your finger" knot. Jenny did it once in one of her tutorials. You wrap the thread a couple times around your finger and then roll it off and it forms a knot. Quick and easy. I didn't explain it well but it works great.

Another thing I do is thread a couple needles and have them waiting for me. I also try to take the time to thread a needle before I stop so when I sit down again with the quilt, I can start sewing right away. I use a needle threader (wow, that made sewing easier for me!). Basically, I do anything that makes hand sewing easier and more pleasant. I hated hand binding my quilts at first and now I find I almost like doing it.

[Bubby]

Thread Heaven is a wonderful product to help tame your thread - it's also quite inexpensive. It also helps if the newly cut end of the thread is threaded through the eye of the needle. For some reason it's less twisty.