Starting and Finishing Knots

What you will learn

• Wrap-around knot
• Quilter's knot
• Finishing knot

Materials and tools

• Needle threaded with 18 in (45 cm) of thread
• Scrap of woven cotton for practice
• Scissors

1. Wrap-around knot, step 1. Hold the thread end flat against the tip of your first finger. Wrap the thread once around the finger so it crosses over the end.

2. Wrap-around knot, step 2. Press the crossing between your thumb and finger. Roll the loop off the fingertip, sliding the thumb forward as you roll, so the loop twists into a small coil.
3. Wrap-around knot, step 3. Keep pinching the coil. Pull the thread away with the other hand until a small knot forms at the end. Trim the tail to 1/8 in (3 mm).
4. Quilter's knot, step 1. Hold the threaded needle with its point to the left. Lay the end of the thread against the needle, near the point, so the tail extends past the point by about 1/2 in (12 mm).
5. Quilter's knot, step 2. Wrap the long thread around the needle and the tail 2 or 3 times, working close to the point. Pinch the coil of wraps flat against the needle with your thumb.
6. Quilter's knot, step 3. Pull the needle through the coil with your other hand, drawing the thread down until a round knot forms at the tail end. A quilter's knot is neat, and more wraps make it larger, which suits loosely woven fabric where a small knot might slip through.
7. Finishing knot, step 1. When you reach the end of a seam, take a very small stitch in the fabric, right beside the last stitch. Pull until a small loop of thread remains.
8. Finishing knot, step 2. Pass the needle through the loop and pull tight to form a knot snug against the fabric. Repeat once more for a double knot that will not slip.

9. Finishing knot, step 3. Push the needle into the fabric near the knot and out about 1/2 in (12 mm) away, travelling between the layers. Tug gently so the knot slides inside, then snip the thread at the surface. The cut end springs back out of sight.

Tips for a neat result

• Practice each knot five times on scrap thread before using it on a project.
• Thicker thread makes bigger knots, so use fewer wraps with thick thread and more with fine thread.
• Make the knot at the very end of the thread. A knot made 1/2 in (12 mm) up the thread leaves a tail that can catch in stitches.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The starting knot is firm, round and at the very end of the thread.
• The finishing knot sits tight against the fabric and the cut end is hidden.

Projects that use this