What's the best way to tie the end of a thread in sewing?

Question

for stitching up tears and replacing buttons specifically

Answer 1

You're talking about ending off?  For regular stitching, take a

backstitch, then insert the needle into the loop of the backstitch and pull it through.  Do it again.  And a third time if the seam will be under much tension.  Then push the needle back into the seam for a short distance, and bring it back out, apply slight tension to the thread, and clip close to the fabric.  When you let go, the thread ends will disappear back into the seam.

For buttons, it's the same general idea, but here's a good piece on proper button sewing:

http://www.fabriclandwest.com/Notion_bas...

Answer 2

My Mother was a tailoress and she taught me to l**k my first finger and thumb, run them down the last couple or three of inches of the thread and as you reach close to the end (about half an inch or so) roll the end of the thread twice in a circle on the pad of your thumb and pull the knot to the end.  It is so quick and easy and you have a knot which will not pull through or come undone.

It may take a bit of practice - comes naturally to me some 65 years after I learned the trick!

Answer 3

I usually just keep going through the material im stiching over and over then just after you have put the needle through your button hole a loop appears in the cotton, take the needle and pass it through the loop, then pull tight.

Its so hard to explain, hope this made some kind of sence.

Answer 4

take the end of the thread you want the knot in

hold it between your first finger and thumb

wrap it barely snug around the nail/fingertip of your first finger two times

pinch it tight, and use your thumb to roll the thread rolls off of the tip of your finger

and pull it tight

if it doesnt work, just try it a few times

i learned it in girl scouts- and it's probably one of the most useful useless things i know

=)

here's a video (just up until 36 seconds in to the video)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4-zEYFps0bk