How to Tie Off Embroidery Floss for Cross Stitch or Needlework

Any seasoned stitcher will emphasize the importance of making the back of an embroidery project as neat as the front when working on it.

Everyone who works on embroidery projects should know how to tie off embroidery thread.

The first rule is never to use a knot!  This tutorial will show how to end a stitch without making the back of the embroidery or cross-stitch work look messy.

This method of ending floss works for both cross stitch and needlepoint.

Learn more about cross stitch ending thread by watching our video or keep reading this post.

WHAT YOU NEED to tie off embroidery floss

• An embroidery or cross-stitch piece
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Embroidery hoop
• Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS to end an embroidery stitch

STEP 1: Begin working on the project

Place the embroidery or cross-stitch project inside of the embroidery hoop.  Begin stitching, being sure to start without using a knot, as is instructed on our beginning embroidery tutorial.

Stitch until it is time to end the floss.

step 2: thread back through the stitches

Turn to the back of the project, and taking the embroidery needle with the floss still on, run the needle under the last several embroidery stitches that were made.

Five to seven stitches is a good number to thread the needle under.

Gently pull the floss through the stitches until the floss is pulled through to the end.

step 3: clip the embroidery floss

Where the embroidery floss comes out of the ending stitches on the back, simply clip the floss with a pair of sharp scissors.

And there it is!  The embroidery project looks neat and tidy on the back!

other embroidery tips and tricks

• How to Separate Strands of Floss
• Embroidery Stitch Guide
• Hand Embroidery Video Tutorials