Embroidery floss can tangle when the thread is long, twisted, or pulled too tightly. This is a common issue for beginners, but can be avoided by taking a few precautions.
Why Does Embroidery Floss Tangle?
Floss can tangle for a few different reasons, namely:
- The piece of floss is too long.
- The strands are twisting as you stitch.
- The floss hasn’t been separated properly.
- You are using too many strands for the fabric.
- The thread is frayed or worn.
- You are pulling the thread too tightly.
- The needle is twisting in your hand.
- The floss is catching on the fabric.
- The thread is being pulled through too quickly.
- Loose floss has been stored in an unorganised fashion before use.
How to Avoid Floss Tangling
To avoid tangling, you can do the following simple fixes:
- Use a shorter length of floss
- Separate the strands before stitching
- Pull out one strand at a time, then re-combine them when you thread them through the needle.
- Let the needle hang down occasionally so that your thread can untwist.
- Pull the floss through the fabric gently.
- Avoid yanking knots tight.
- Replace your floss if it starts to look worn or ‘fuzzy’.
- Use the exact number of strands that your pattern recommends.
- Keep unused floss on bobbins, cards, or labelled bags.
- Slow down slightly if your thread keeps catching.
Using short thread will probably give you the highest ROI here, as very long thread can get twisted very easily.
Read Next
- What Is Embroidery Floss?
- How Many Strands of Floss Do You Use For Cross Stitch?
- What Do You Need to Start Cross Stitch?