Embroidery 101!

Step 3 Threading the needle and all about floss.

Needle threading can be a little complicated at times. I've found the easiest way to do it is to wet the floss (yes, put it in your mouth.) and squish it between your thumb and forefinger. This will flatten it out and allow it to pass through the eye of the needle with less fuss.

Also: keep in mind that you do not double the floss as you sometimes do with thread. You're simply going to pull the thread through the eye and let a few inches hang loose. You'll knot the other end as usual. (And make sure to cut off the loose stuff after the knot - it'll make your work neater! Never leave more than 1/2 inch behind the knot, or it'll get tangled while you stitch.)

Most floss is multi strand. The most common is six strands. You can divide the floss for more detailed work. The best way to do this it to use your fingernails to separate the strands and then pull is apart slowly. :)

Comments

[TychaBrahe]

Regarding separating strands, when I was young it annoyed me that as I separated the strands, the unseparated stuff would tend to twist. I would have to stop periodically to untwist it. I developed the habit of holding one end of the strand in my teeth and separating from the other end. The tension keeps the thread from twisting. Once the strand is fully separated, it will twist everything out when you release your teeth.