Starting and Tying off your Embroidery

Learn how to start and tie off a piece of embroidery with this brief video for beginners - it's super easy to get started!

Instructions (given in video) -

Starting:

1. Take your needle, and cut off a length of thread - I usually use between 50cm - 70cm.
2. Splay out one end of the thread - you can see that it's made of 6 smaller strands. Take 2 of these smaller strands, and start to separate them out from the others - it can help to use one hand to untwist the longer/thicker piece of thread as you separate them. Set aside the other 4 pieces for later.
3. Take your 2 strands together, and snip one end - the needle will thread more easily with clean ends! Thread your needle, then tie 2 small knots in the longer end of thread. Snip the end after the knot, to stop it accidentally pulling through while you're stitching. You're ready to start!

Tying Off:

1. When there's a small amount of thread left, flip your hoop over.
2. At the back of your fabric, tuck your needle under some of the thread from a previous stitch. Pull it through - but leave a loop.
3. Pass your needle through the loop to create a small knot, and pull until it tightens. I tend to do this twice, to make sure the ends stay secure.
4. Snip the ends - and you're done!

If you've got any questions on this, let me know in the comments section below and I'll get back to you!