The quality of cross stitching is determined, among other things, by the presence of knots on the seamy side. The technique of securing the thread depends on how dense the pattern should be and how many folds the work is done.
Instructions
Step 1
Hoop the fabric. If you are embroidering on regular cotton or linen fabric, sew the removable auxiliary canvas onto it first.
Step 2
Securing with an even number of threads If the motif is to be sewn in 2, 4, or 6 folds, cut the thread that is rather long (2 or 3 for tighter sewing) as it will become half the length during sewing. Thread the thread into the eye of the needle, do not tie any knots. Pry the weave of the base material with the tip of the needle and bring it to the right side. Pull the thread out of the needle, align the ends by pulling slightly. Thread both ends (all four or six if you are embroidering a tight pattern) into the needle and sew the first stitch. If you are working with a relief canvas, make sure that the first stitch starts from the warp fabric and does not interfere with the weave.
Step 3
Securing when sewing with an odd number of threads Thread the needle with 1, 3, or 5 threads. Do not tie knots. From the wrong side, insert the needle into the fabric. Pull up the thread, leaving the tip of the thread on the wrong side 1-1.5 cm longer than the needle. Start embroidering by holding the thread on the back of the embroidery with your finger. Do not let it tangled in the stitches. When a small area of the same color has been embroidered, leave the sewing thread on the right side, turn the hoop over, thread the remaining thread into the needle. Insert the needle into the weave stitches of the corresponding color and pull it out. Sew a reinforcement stitch if necessary. Cut off the remaining thread.
Step 4
Securing the leading end of the thread When all the stitches of the desired color have been sewn or the thread runs out, bring the needle to the wrong side. Insert it under the threads of the sewn stitches as in step 3, and pull it up and down. Cut off the excess with scissors. If you are embroidering with smooth threads, such as silk, make a reinforcement stitch by creating a loop, insert the needle and thread into its center and pull up.
