Silk thread is so fine that it tends to slide right out of the eye of the needle. One solution is to actually tie the thread to the needle — the silk is so fine that the knot does not interfere with the sewing. Here are the steps.
Note that for better visibility, we’ve used a huge needle and perle cotton, not silk thread, in the photos.
1. Thread the needle.
2. Wrap the short end of thread twice around your index finger, leaving at least two inches of tail below the wrapped thread.
3. Keeping hold of the tail of thread, bring the needle underneath the two loops.
4. Pull the needle through. As you pull, you will see a knot form. Release the short end of the thread and pull on the long end and the knot will draw up to the needle.
5. Now you are ready to sew!
4 thoughts on “Working with Silk Thread”
Pamela Taylor.
So very helpful. Thank you Jinny.
Would you be kind enough to advise.
Is finer thread better for hand piecing?
Is it strong enough?
Would you recommend a make?
Thank you in advance.
Pam Wildgoose Taylor.
Dana Sherwood
Jinny likes a heavier weight thread for hand piecing. She likes Aurifil 28 weight. Heavier thread is less apt to knot as you sew and believe it or not it is easier to thread through the needle.
Pamela Taylor
Thank you for your comment.
Very much appreciated.
Pam W.T.
doris moore
I love using 100 wt silk for applique. I learned to do a thread piercing technique which allows the thread to move smoothly through the needle eye. The Thimble Lady demonstrates this on youtube. It seems like a parlor trick. How can a needle pierce a 100 wt silk thread?! It took me a few tries to get the hang of it but worth the learning curve.
So very helpful. Thank you Jinny.
Would you be kind enough to advise.
Is finer thread better for hand piecing?
Is it strong enough?
Would you recommend a make?
Thank you in advance.
Pam Wildgoose Taylor.
Jinny likes a heavier weight thread for hand piecing. She likes Aurifil 28 weight. Heavier thread is less apt to knot as you sew and believe it or not it is easier to thread through the needle.
Thank you for your comment.
Very much appreciated.
Pam W.T.
I love using 100 wt silk for applique. I learned to do a thread piercing technique which allows the thread to move smoothly through the needle eye. The Thimble Lady demonstrates this on youtube. It seems like a parlor trick. How can a needle pierce a 100 wt silk thread?! It took me a few tries to get the hang of it but worth the learning curve.