Knotting the thread...

Thank you to everyone who responded to my previous post on knotting the thread. Since then I have watched people sewing even more carefully. I believe that quilters who over-manipulate the needle have the most problems. Right-handers often over-twist the thread while they sew, rather than untwisting it. Un-twisting the thread while sewing leads to problems. Left-handers are especially prone to thread problems because their hands move the needle in an opposite way from right-handers

I did learn a new thing. I can only say that I do not have a mathematical mind when I admit that I really thought the the twist at the far end of the thread was different. Brenda Stultz, a spinner and a student in a recent class, showed me that the twist is the same at both ends of the thread. Well - at least the light bulb finally went off in my head. This means that knotting the far end of the thread is just about the same as knotting the near end of the thread.

(I should add right here that it's hard to admit it when you are wrong, but I wish more people would do just that. No one is right all the time. I'll bet we can all think of people we would love to hear admit it when they are proven wrong. So, I was wrong before but I have learned something new which I am happy to share.)

I have come to believe that it makes no difference which end of the thread gets the knot when you are using very good thread. The important this is what you do with your fingers. If you are always fighting your thread, try not to twist the needle as you sew. Left-handers should be able to knot the same end as everyone else but pay extra attention to the way you manipulate the needle between your fingers as you sew.

I'll enjoy reading comments if you want to add one.

Here's the eye candy for this post. Linda and I both are frantically getting ready for market. I'm going to begin quilting on this just as soon as I sign off.

Comments

[Rebecca]

What collection did that yellow polka dot fabric come from? Im in love...

[Becky]

Oh - glad to know youre in love with it because that fabric is part of our collection, Daisies and Dots. It will be out in January and well have it on our site. You can see the whole collection here:
http://www.robertkaufman.com/pre-cut/daisies_dots_complete_collection/

[Bette]

Thanks for this follow up on thread knotting. I had posted a comment that I had no clue as to which end I knotted. (I never paid attention). What I didnt post is that I am a former Home Ec. teacher and have been quilting for 27 years, and had never heard of such a "conflict". I thought maybe I had fallen asleep in Textile class one day. Good to know it doesnt matter. By the way, when I thread my machine I always place the spool on the post with the thread feeding off the back of the spool....I'm not sure why I do that, or if it makes a difference, but I always make sure I do.

[Bette]

Ooops...I forgot to mention how much I love your new fabric line!

[Jan]

Yes nice fabric will save some dollars to make sure I can buy some.

[Mary Ann]

Love the new fabric, I can see piles of dots getting stashed for bindings for years to come! But the daisies will come out and dance soon, several baby girls on the way in my family.

[Stephanie]

Interesting your conclusions are similar to Bob's at Superior Threads-that it doesn't matter which end of the thread is knotted when using good quality threads, but not the case if the thread isn't good quality.
Another great argument in favour of using the good stuff when it comes to thread.