How To Thread, Marry and Knot Your Needle

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We hope this post helps you learn everything you need about threading, marrying, and knotting your needle.

Over the years, I have developed a deep appreciation for the art of doing things at a slower pace. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about dedicating quiet time to a project, particularly when it comes to sewing. Immersed in the rhythmic motion of needle and thread, surrounded by soft fabrics, I experience a kind of serenity that the clattering sound of a sewing machine often overshadows.

Reflecting back to my middle school years, I remember taking a home economics class that introduced us to the basics of sewing. We learned machine sewing and hand sewing techniques, though I must admit it wasn’t my favorite pastime then. I vividly recall the apron I crafted, which fell apart just a week later, and the pillowcase that didn’t stand the test of time either. It was a frustrating experience, and my enthusiasm for sewing waned for nearly 15 years until inspiration struck again when I decided to create a dress for my daughter.

Jumping back into sewing, I set my sights on the ambitious project of making a dress, which was perhaps not the best choice for someone still finding their footing. It’s generally better for beginners to start with simpler projects to build confidence and skills. Luckily, I had the support of some incredible women who patiently guided me through the challenging process of sewing my first dress. While the journey was fraught with frustrations and frequent missteps, I found myself captivated by the craft. This initial experience ignited a passion to create more dresses and garments, solidifying my love for sewing, particularly when it came to making beautiful dresses.

After two enriching years and having crafted over ten dresses, my grandmother introduced me to a fascinating old quilting technique called Promise Stitch. This method has grown in popularity over the past three decades, and I instantly fell in love with it. It was a delightful return to the fundamentals of sewing, allowing me to embrace traditional techniques while cultivating my creativity. It dawned on me that I could still produce stunning, handcrafted items without needing a sewing machine, tapping into a rich legacy of artisanal skill.

Whether you have been sewing for years or are just beginning to learn how to thread, knot, and marry your needle, I’m here to offer my assistance and share what I’ve learned along the way. Your sewing adventure awaits, and together, we can create beautiful things!

Why Hand Sew?

Hand sewing can be so rewarding and beneficial. Here are a few:

  1. Cost-Effective: There’s no need to purchase a sewing machine. For hand sewing, all you need are some needles, thread, scissors, and fabric.
  2. Portability: Carrying a sewing machine can be cumbersome. With hand sewing, I can travel light by simply bringing along a bag filled with fabric, thread, scissors, and needles.
  3. Traditional Techniques: Learning to sew by hand and mastering different stitches helps preserve traditional crafting methods.
  4. Dependable: You won’t have to worry about your sewing machine breaking down or a needle snapping if it clashes with a pin.
  5. Quiet: Hand sewing allows you to work on your project quietly, giving you the chance to focus and take your time.
  6. Mindful Sewing: Slowing down while you sew leads to fewer mistakes and a more enjoyable experience.

What You’ll Need

Threading the Needle

The first step in threading your needle is to measure your thread. To do this, hold one end of the thread in your fingers and unspool it with your other hand until it reaches the end of your arm. This length will help prevent the thread from tangling as much.

A person holding thread the length of their arm to measure the length of thread

To thread the needle, start by placing the thread through the eye of the needle. To make this easier, you can cut the end of the thread and wet it with water or saliva if necessary. Alternatively, you can use a needle threader, which is particularly helpful when working with smaller needles.

Marrying The Thread & Needle

Now that you have threaded the needle, we will join the needle and thread. First, grab the end of the thread that you just pulled through the needle’s eye and hold it above the needle’s point.

One hand holding the end of the thread above the needle the other hand is holding

Now that you have threaded the needle, we will join the needle and thread. First, grab the end of the thread that you pulled through the needle’s eye. Hold it above the needle’s point. Next, place the needlepoint and push it between the thread fiber strands. Weave the needlepoint into the thread two or three times.

Slide the thread down through the eye of the needle. Give it a slight tug to tighten and move the knot you just created to the eye.

Congratulations! You have successfully united your needle and thread. This process is called “marrying the needle” because you weave the needle and thread together. They become one and work in harmony, allowing you to sew without any resistance between them.

Pro Tip:

After marrying your thread and needle, run your thread through goat or sheep milk soap. This will help your thread run through the fabric smoothly.

Knotting The End Of The Thread

To tie a knot at the end of your thread, take the bottom of the thread and wrap it around the needle two or three times. Then, pull the thread down off the needle toward the end of your thread. Voilà! You’ll have a knot at the end of your thread.

Congrats!

You are now starting an exciting journey towards crafting stunning and imaginative creations that reflect your unique vision and talents. Click here for basic stitches also video coming soon!

How did it go? Have you hand sewed anything?

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3 Comments

  1. This is great! I teach hand sewing to students in my art classes. I’ve never heard of this technique, I’ll have to teach them now!