Measuring and Cutting Thread

What you will learn

• Cutting thread to length
• Choosing single or doubled thread

Materials and tools

• Spool of thread
• Sharp scissors
• Hand-sewing needle

1. Unwind thread from the spool and hold the end at your fingertips. Stretch your arm out and pull the thread to your elbow. That is about 18 in (45 cm), a good working length for most hand sewing.
2. Cut the thread at this length with sharp scissors. Cut at a slight angle so the end passes easily through the needle eye.
3. Do not cut a very long piece. Thread longer than 24 in (60 cm) twists, tangles and wears thin as it passes back and forth through the fabric. A shorter piece also means less pulling for each stitch.
4. For thick thread such as topstitching thread or embroidery floss, cut shorter, around 12 to 15 in (30 to 38 cm). Thick thread frays faster as it passes through the fabric.
5. For a single strand, thread the needle and pull the tail through so the two ends are uneven. Knot the long end. A single strand is right for lightweight fabric, basting, gathering and most seams.

6. For a doubled strand, cut about 36 in (90 cm). Thread the needle, pull the thread so the two ends match, and knot both ends together. This gives you about 18 in (45 cm) of working length with two strands in every stitch.
7. Use a doubled strand for buttons, snaps, heavy fabric and repairs that will be pulled hard. Avoid it on delicate fabric, where two strands make stitches stiff and show through.
8. Stop and finish when only 4 or 5 in (10 to 12 cm) of thread remains. A very short end is hard to hold and is more likely to pull out of the eye.

Tips for a neat result

• If your thread twists as you sew, let the needle dangle at the end of the thread so it spins and untwists.
• Run cotton or polyester thread through a block of beeswax or thread conditioner to reduce tangles.
• Cut a few lengths at once and park the threaded needles in a pin cushion.

Common mistakes and fixes

Check your result

• The thread reaches comfortably from the fabric to your elbow.
• A doubled thread has two matching ends knotted together.