How To Prepare Your Thread and Needle

Learning a new skill is intimidating—let me teach you the basics of starting your embroidery floss and preparing your needle.

The How:

1. 1. On DMC floss skeins you will see two paper bands—one with the DMC logo and one with a barcode and floss color number. Always pull your floss from the barcode/floss color number side. This will prevent any knots.
   
   
   

   2. Now that you know what end to pull you floss from, pull a 12–18 inch piece of floss and cut; I use the length of my arm for reference. 
   
   
   
   3. Next, tie a knot at the end of your floss strand and cut any excess thread away from the knot. Be sure not to cut too close to the knot or you'll cause the knot to untangle.
   
   
   
   4. Using the end that does not have a knot, thread your floss through your needle and leave about 1/8th of the floss hanging off the opposite side. You are now ready to start stitching!
   
   
   
   Watch the video here 👇

I hope today’s Abide Guide helps you in your embroidery journey! Don’t want to miss out on a future Abide Guide post? Be sure to sign up for our email list below and when you do, you'll grab a free pattern)!