Intro to Wool Applique: 2. Thread - Needle - Knot

In the "Intro to Wool Applique" tutorial series I share various aspects of getting started with wool applique.

For the tutorial samples I used woven and fulled (commonly referred to as "felted") wool applique pieces and stitched them to a cotton background fabric.

This tutorial covers:

• Preparing your thread strands
• Threading the needle
• Making a Quilters Knot v
• Securing applique to background

If you haven't already, be sure to review "Intro to Wool Applique: 1. Working with and Cutting Wool".

Note:  The images and instructions in this tutorial are specific to a right handed stitcher - right handed stitchers should always sew to the left - making it easier to position needle, thread, and hands.    

If you are a left handed stitcher, reverse all indication of right /left in this tutorial and work/sew to your right.

Supplies:  

• a piece of wool to applique (shown: "in the Patch designs" wool charm)
• a piece of background fabric (wool, cotton, linen, etc. - shown Hoffman of Ca. Bouquet Memories)
• applique pins (shorter and smaller than sewing pins - shown Clover)
• 2 strands of 12wt thread (shown: Aurifil Lana Wool 12wt)
• 1 size 5 embroidery needle (shown: Bohin embroidery needle)

Before you get started:

Before getting started be sure to use freezer paper and a good pair of serrated edge scissors to prepare your wool piece. (Tutorial coming soon)

Tip: Removing thread from the spool

When removing thread from a spool for hand work (any thread), always be sure it is feeding off the side of the spool, not being pulled over the top.  This minimizes the twists in the thread and helps to reduce knotting and twisting while hand stitching.

I learned this tip from a class I took from Sharon Stroud -- if you ever have a chance to take a class from Sharon it's a MUST DO.  She has mastered needle turn applique, hand piecing (no machine), and hand quilting.  She is a wonderful instructor and an author.  Her methods are amazing. You can visit Sharon's blog here.

Tip - When using 2 strands of cotton or wool thread (natural fiber threads).

When using two strands of thread make sure both strands are removed from the spool and positioned for the needle with the fibers going in the same direction.

The easiest way to do this is to cut two different lengths of thread - having the heads of each strand side by side.

If you cut one length of thread, fold it in half, and cut it -- the fibers of the resulting two strands are going in opposite directions. (You can flip one of the strands end to end for this method to work).

Having everything aligned as it came off the spool makes for less "arguments" between the strands - all the fibers are going in the same direction.

Thread the Needle:

Instead of trying to feed two raw edges of thread through the eye of the needle try this:

• Hold two strands of thread in left hand and fold them over the needle in your right hand.

• Now use the left hand to pinch the fold tight against the needle

• Slide the needle out and continue to keep the two strands pinched tight 
• Position the eye of the needle over the pinch and gently feed them through the eye.

• Draw the remaining thread though the eye and prepare to knot

Quilters Knot:

• Holding the needle in the right hand, lay the tail of the thread over top of needle as shown
• Hold in place with thumb

• Using left hand, draw the thread to your left under and then over the needle three (3) times.

• Pinch all threads on the needle between thumb and finger and begin to slide them off of the needle -- keeping them pinched

• Continue to slide the threads off the needle and all the way to the end of the thread strands. 

• A knot will be formed at the end of the thread - pull it taut to secure the knot

Secure applique piece to background:

Before you begin to stitch the wool to the background fabric you need to secure the wool applique to the background.  There are several ways to do this:

• Glue stick (tiny amounts)
• Water soluble liquid glue (tiny dots)
• Applique Pins
• Felting Needle (if applique and background are both wool)

Personally, I choose to avoid glue products (if I can) -- so I chose the pinning or felting method.

This tutorial covered the "Thread - Needle - Knot" basics for hand wool applique.

Stay tuned for more Wool Applique Basics -- coming soon.

I appreciate your feedback -- so please leave me a comment if you stopped by.
Thanks so much,
Karen

#wool #applique #handmade #tutorial