Which end should I knot?

Which End of the Thread Should I Knot?!

Handquilting Timepiece

Controversy : Which end of the thread should you knot
to prevent tangles as you sew or quilt by hand?

Ask a group of quilters this question and you'll probably get equally divided opinions.

In theory, depending on the twist used when plying the thread strands together,
the direction in which you sew with the thread can result in less knots & tangling.

First, here are some "twist" definitions :

Z-twist - if you unravel a thread or yarn, the angle of the ply separation is (/) as in the letter Z.
S-twist - if you unravel a thread or yarn, the angle of the ply separation is (\) as in the letter S.

Most threads for sewing or quilting that I have seen use a Z-twist.

The illustrations below show the two possible options for knotting a thread :

Option #1 - Knot the loose end as it comes off the spool :

Yes!

Option #2 - Knot the end closest to the spool as you cut the thread :

No!

In my opinion, in order to reduce tangling thread, use option #1,
i.e., "Knot the loose end as it comes off the spool."

After several years of consistently using option #2, which I heard was best
early in my quilting career, I switched and noticed a significant difference...
so I speak from experience.

Using option #1 (knotting the end as it comes off the spool),
you'll find that the "tail"of the thread tends to unravel.

My theory is that sewing "with the twist" is like using a drill.
When in forward, the bit bites into the surface and grabs with the
direction of the spiral on the bit going forward. If the drill is in reverse
it is very difficult to penetrate the surface because you are forcing the bit
in a direction it wants to "back out" of.

As I said earlier, most thread has a "Z-twist". However,if you use a specialty thread
with an "S-twist" you should use option #2 - knot the end closest to the spool.

And, to confuse the issue even more, if you wind the thread from the spool to
a machine bobbin (as in my sew on the go kit), remember to knot the end you cut from the bobbin!

If it's all too confusing...bottom line...it's no big deal. Just quilt!
Take out the tangles as you get them. It's character building!

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