Hand sewing · First steps · 5 minutes

Thread a Needle and Tie a Knot

Every hand-sewing job starts here. Cut a piece of thread that's not too long, get it through the eye, and tie a knot that won't pull through the fabric.

You'll need

hand needle (size 7 sharp is a good start)
all-purpose thread
scissors
needle threader (optional)

Step by step

Tick each step as you go if you like; ticks stay on this device.

Cut the threadCut a piece about 18 inches long, roughly from your fingertips to your elbow and a bit more. Longer thread tangles, and shorter thread runs out fast.
Make a fresh, clean endSnip the end at a slant with sharp scissors. A crisp end slides through the eye much more easily than a fuzzy one.
Push it through the eyeHold the needle up to the light and poke the thread end through the eye. Pull a few inches through.
Or use a needle threaderPush the threader's wire loop through the needle's eye and put the thread through the loop. Then pull the threader back out, and the thread comes with it.
Choose single or doubleFor most sewing and hems, use a single thread with a short tail. For buttons and strong repairs, pull the thread until both ends are even and sew with it doubled.
Tie the knotWrap the long end around your fingertip two or three times. Roll the loops off your finger with your thumb, then pull them down into a small, tight knot. For a double thread, knot both ends together.
Finish when you're doneOn the back, slip the needle under your last stitch and go through the loop before it closes. Do this twice, then trim the tail to about 1/4 inch.

Tips

A double thread can't slip out of the needle, which helps beginners.
If your eyes get tired, a needle threader makes this easy every time.

If something goes wrong

Problem	Fix
The thread keeps twisting and knotting.	Use a shorter piece. Every so often, let the needle dangle so the thread can untwist.
The knot pulls through the fabric.	Tie a second knot on top of the first to make it bigger.

Safe habits

Keep needles in a pincushion when you're not using them, out of reach of small children.

See it in the old books

Pictures and lessons from sewing and knitting books published more than a hundred years ago, free at the Internet Archive.

📖 The Mary Frances Sewing Book: making a knot (1913) ↗

Sources

These are free how-to guides for families. There's nothing to earn, pass or send in.