How to Tie a Sewing Knot

First Things First: How to Tie a Sewing Knot and Become a Successful Sewer?

Learning how to tie a sewing knot comes just after learning how to thread a needle. 

Read also about other sewing tools and discover how to deal with them.

A knot takes less than three millimeters of space, but it can still cause a lot of trouble. 

In the article below, we tackle how to tie a sewing knot. 

Keep reading to discover the kingdom of this tiny sewing being with our humble guidance. 

Image source: Blog.Treasurie 

Sewing knot―all you need to know

There are two major ways to sew a knot. We will describe their types (based on the way of making) later in the article: 

1. 1. single, and 
   2. double threaded;

How to decide whether you should go for a single thread or double thread in your project? 

Le’s quickly research the differences with Blog.Treasurie: 

Single (also known as overhand)	Double
A single-threaded solution means that the knot is just on one end of the thread.	The double-threaded means that there are two strands of thread in the knot.
A single thread is terrific for: embroidery, or  sewing something ultra-fine;	A double thread is: stronger, and  easier to hand-sew with;

Sewing knot types

The most exciting part of this introductory chapter is the types of sewing knots. 

Their division is based directly on the technique of making. 

Let’s see what tying a knot in sewing thread is all about. 

According to Blossom and Posies, there are several types:

• • Granny Knot
  • Wrap-Around-Your-Finger Knot
  • Wrap-Around-the-Needle Knot

The Ruffled Purse has similar ideas but different descriptions and pictures if you wish to alternate:

• • A knot with a loop
  • A knot around the finger
  • A knot around the needle

Image source: The Sewing Directory

Are you curious to learn the three ways of “How to Tie a Knot in Thread for Hand Sewing?”

Check out this YouTube tutorial to learn a few handy sewing hacks. 

Here, the methods are:

1. 1. The Amateur
   2. Granny’s Fingers
   3. The Ninja Knot

Are they the same as the three ways described above? Check it out and learn how to tie a knot sewing!

Image source: Blossom and Posies

How to make a sewing knot?

How to start a sewing knot?

According to Blog.Treasurie, to make our knot happen, we should follow these steps:

1. 1. Form a loop (pass the cut end over the attached end)
   2. Tuck the end inside the loop
   3. Pull tight

That’s it! Your knot is ready. 

Read also how you tie a knot when sewing (with pictures) on The Sewing Directory. 

Image source: Blog.Treasurie

We love how Blossom and Posies explains the steps to take in the process of knot-making. 

Every option has its detailed description below. 

The question “How to tie off thread when sewing?” will have no secrets from you in just a minute. 

Let’s look at it together:

	Granny Knot	Wrap-Around-Your-Finger Knot	Wrap-Around-the-Needle Knot
The first step	Loopback the end of your thread. Lay it over the central part of the thread.	Take the end of the thread (pinch the end of the thread between your thumb and forefinger) Wrap the thread over its end two or three times around your forefinger	Wrap the end of the thread around the needle. Do it five or six times.
The second step	Pull the end of the thread through the newly created circle.	With the thumb and forefinger of your opposite hand, roll the wrapped thread off your finger. It will resemble a “wreath” of thread.	Pinch the loops on the needle between your forefinger and thumb.
The third step	Tighten the knot and repeat.	With the first hand, pinch the wreath between your forefinger and thumb. Pull the “wreath” away from the needle and check if it forms a knot.	Pull them off the needle and down to the end of the thread, creating a knot.

If you feel like going through these steps would be comfier with pictures, you’ll find them on Blossom and Posies.

Image source: Blossom and Posies

Relatively hard to make well (at least at the beginning) with the Granny’s Knot is the second knot. You need to tighten the thread slowly (read about sewing threads types and tips) and make sure it closes around the first knot.

Have a look at the Super Label Store for other best sewing tips and tricks.

Also, don’t bother with trying to get the knot right at the end of the thread. You can always cut off any excess.  

If the fabric’s weave is loose, you might even want to knot the thread three times. 

However, two is usually enough to keep your needlework last. 

Image source: Pinterest

Tie the end of sewing

Making knots isn’t reserved only for the initial phases of sewing. 

In this paragraph, we’ll look at the other side of the story―we’ll learn to sew a perfect sewing finishing knot. 

As underlined by Instructables: 

“The way you tie off when you’re done sewing a seam (or when you’ve come to the end of your thread) is very important to the durability of your work!”

We couldn’t agree more. 

Let’s see how to tie off both with and without knots. 

It can also come in handy to know how to hide the thread ends when sewing on felt (check it out on Instructables).

But before we get into detail, let’s see this quick YouTube tutorial:

Also, there is another side of all the garments you’re making. It’s secretive, exciting, and super helpful!

We’re talking about professional custom labels that the Super Label Store produces in every quantity, depending on the client’s need. 

Consider these alternatives:

• • custom woven labels―come in two options: design with the configurator or upload your logo/design,
  • custom care labels―come with one option: design with the configurator,
  • Custom hang tags―come in two options: design with the configurator or upload your logo/design;

If going from sewing hobby to successful sewing business is your thing, whether you’re:

• • a home-based DIY/clothing crafter, 
  • a clothing start-up,
  • a fashion designer, or
  • the owner of a hotel, bar, or hospitality business. 

consider reaching out to Super Label Store for different types of woven labels. 

Image source: The Ruffled Purse

The good news is, you don’t have to know how to sew a sewing knot end to customize your:

• • textile, 
  • clothing, 
  • towels, 
  • sheets, or 
  • other accessories with custom (clothing) labels and tags by Super Label Store.

It’s all doable with a double click by the configurator on the site. 

Other than that, Super Label Store is also a substantial source of sewing-related information.

Read, for example, blogs:

• • Easy beginner sewing projects,
  • 35 intermediate sewing projects, and
  • Advanced sewing techniques,

to discover super practical instruction to sew or work on upcycling fashion.  

But now, let’s go back to finishing our sewing projects. 

Image source: Instructables

How to tie a knot after sewing?

According to The Ruffled Purse, there are three ways to finish a stitch and secure the thread. You can:

1. 1. Loop through an existing stitch
   2. Backstitch
   3. Hide the knot

It’s handy to discover how to tie off four basic stitches:

• • ladder stitch, 
  • running stitch, 
  • blind stitch, and 
  • whipstitch; 

Image source: Needle N Thread

With this YouTube video by The Ruffled Purse, we’ll learn a lot in a short time. 

With less than 20 minutes of intense focus, we’re almost done with learning how to tie thread after sewing.

And to make it all simpler, here’s a schedule by The Ruffled Purse:

1:39 Finish the ladder stitch in a pillow by looping an existing stitch and burying the thread.

3:24 Finish the running stitch in decorative stitching by looping an existing stitch and weaving the thread.

5:26 Tie off the blind stitch in applique with looping an existing stitch and weaving the thread.

7:17 Tie off the blind stitch in applique with hiding the knot.

9:40 Tie off the blind stitch in a hem with a combination of the backstitch and looping an existing stitch then burying the thread

11:30 Finish the whip stitch by looping an existing stitch and burying the thread.

12:37 Finish the whip stitch on a label by looping an existing stitch and burying the thread.

14:20 Finish the blind stitch in a binding by doing a single backstitch and weaving the thread.

15:33 Finish the blind stitch in a binding by hiding the knot.

We told you it’s a bomb!

With the neat table below created with the help of Instructables, we’re giving a careful glance at how to tie a sewing knot to finish.

We use these options mainly with running and back stitches. 

Other stitches have their ways of how to tie off sewing.

Tying off with a double threaded needle	Tying off with a single-threaded needle by knotting	Tying off with a double or single-threaded needle without a knot
If you’re wondering how to tie off sewing by hand, this is the easiest way to do it.	This way is a bit more complex if you’re at the beginning of your sewing adventure. Yet, it’s worth trying!	Excited about learning a fantastic trick to tie off without knotting? What about using this trick to anchor your thread before you start sewing? Let’s see what it is all about.
Cut the thread right below the needle and tie the two halves together.	Leave enough thread to tie a knot. To save the thread for easy knot-related manipulation, always stop sewing with about three inches of thread to spare. At least until you become an expert at making knots.	At the end of your stitching line, make a very tiny stitch (going through both layers of fabric!). Then pull the thread through.
If you’ve got a lot of thread left, leave a couple of inches to simplify tying the knot.	Loop the thread to make a knot. But, pay attention! Instead of just pulling the thread into a knot immediately, place your finger on top of the thread to hold it down against the sewing fabric. Do it near where you want the knot to end up.	Reinsert the needle and put it through the same stitch. Pull gently on the thread.
You can do two or three knots. When you knot, tighten the first knot right down to the fabric but no further.	Hold the knot in place while tightening. Keep pulling on the thread end as you hold the loop down. It will get smaller and smaller until it transforms into a perfect knot. Use your fingers to guide the knot into the right place.  Then trim the excess thread, and you’re done with this one!	You’ll see at this stage that a loop is forming. Pass your needle through the loop and pull. Keep pulling until the loop entirely flattens out.  Cut off the tail end, and the knot is ready!

When tying off with a double threaded needle, why should we tighten the first knot only to the fabric and not further?

You can make the stitches too tight if you pull the first knot too hard. No one likes the fabric puckering! Yet, after the first knot, you’re safe to tie tight knots.

On the contrary to what you may think, tying off with a double or single-threaded needle without a knot is a solid and reliable way to secure stitching. 

However, this way of anchoring the thread can be more visible than a knot when the seam is pulled flat. 

Keep this style of tying off for special occasions or slightly in the seam allowance. 

Sewing knot―embroidery

When it comes to embroidery, knots have a different scope.

Needle N Thread presents these options for beginning and ending threads (check out also other sewing supplies). 

Consider these ways of ending and finishing threads:

1. 1. Beginning threads for hand embroidery:

• • • two-standed invisible start with no knots,
    • the waste knot,
    • the away waste knot,
    • anchor stitches on a line;

1. 2. Ending threads for hand embroidery without a knot:

• • • pulling it through,
    • anchor stitches on a line (if you can cover the anchor stitches up with more embroidery);

Image source: Novocom

It’s worth mentioning that embroidery is all about knots, with a slight difference that their only goal is to become a decoration. 

How to make a French knot? On Crevel Ghoul, Amanda explains how to:

• • make a French knot the easiest way, 
  • avoid problems that every sewer come across at the beginning, and 
  • learn to do it in a breeze;

And since we’re at embroidery, why not have a look at jewelry as well?

Go to Golden Age Beads for seven most popular knots used in jewelry making:

Basic	Fastenings and finishings	Decorative
Overhand knot	Sliding knot	Square knot
	Lark’s head knot	Pretzel knot
	Surgeon’s knot	Half-hitch knot

Image source: Golden Age Beads