Does your embroidery look lovely on the front, and is it covered with messy threads and knots on the back? Keeping the back as neat as the front of the needlework is important.
Learn how to start embroidery thread using the loop method to ensure that the back of the cross stitch work that has much love and time put into it is as pretty and neat as possible.
The loop method is only possible if the pattern calls for an even number of threads.![How to Start Cross Stitch - fb]()
Learn more about how to start embroidery stitches by watching our video or by reading this post.
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WHAT YOU NEED:
- Aida cloth
- Embroidery floss
- Embroidery hoop
- Embroidery needle
- Scissors
![Start Cross Stitch 1 Thread and needle]()
INSTRUCTIONS showing how to start a cross-stitch
STEP 1: Thread the needle with one strand of embroidery floss
Use the scissors to cut the embroidery floss to a long length. Find the middle of the length by folding the floss in half.![Start Cross Stitch 2 Fold Thread in Half]()
Now thread the embroidery needle with the end of the embroidery floss that is not folded.![Start Cross Stitch 3 Thread Ends Onto Needle]()
There will now be two stands of floss to work with.![Start Cross Stitch 5 Threaded Needle]()
step 2: Start the stitching from the back
Come up from the back of the project with the embroidery needle and floss. ![Start Cross Stitch 6 Needle up beginning of stitch]()
Be sure not to pull the embroidery floss all the way through to the front. There should be a loop left at the back of the embroidery work.![Start Cross Stitch 7 Loop on Back]()
step 3: Take the needle down to the back
Take the needle and floss down from the top, careful not to pull the embroidery thread up through the back. Be sure not to go down through the same hole.![Start Cross Stitch 8 Needle Down for first stitch]()
Move slightly away from the hole through which the thread came up, which is one hole in the Aida cloth.
Step 4: Catch the loop at the back
Turn the project with the back facing up. There will be a loop on the back in the middle of the embroidery floss.![Start Cross Stitch 9 Thread at back and loop]()
Run the needle through the loop to catch it. Pull gently.![Start Cross Stitch 10 needle through loop]()
Keep pulling gently until the loop is firmly against the back of the embroidery work.![Start Cross Stitch 12 stitch finished loop secure]()
step 5: begin stitching the project
Take the needle up to begin the first stitch in the cross-stitch project.![Start Cross Stitch 14 front of stitch]()
Pull firmly to be sure there is no play in the loop on the back. Now continue stitching, knowing the floss is secured on the back of the fabric with no knot!
The back of the cross-stitch project will look tidy. Now you know how to start embroidery thread!
I hope you enjoyed learning how to start a cross-stitch using the loop method. Your needlework will look lovely from the front and the back!![Annette's Signature]()
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about this project, contact us through the YouTube Video
comments or our Contact Us page. We respond to questions in e-mails and YouTube comments regularly.
other embroidery tips
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