This tutorial is kindly provided by Sibille of Enchanting Threads Designs

Many stitchers are not sure how to finish and start a new thread in larger needleweaving areas.

It is easy, when ending and starting with satin stitches available at the end of the bar. Weave the thread end underneath several satin stitches, and do the same when starting the new thread.

However, you don't always have this lucky situation when needleweaving larger areas. More than once you end up with the thread to finish and start in the centre of it. Don't try to make up for this with longer strands, because the tear and wear of the threads is quite heavy.

It is very difficult to slip the needle beneath an already woven bar to finish or start a new thread. The wraps are tight, and they can be easily distorted, when you push too strong. It also depends on the fabric count. Needleweaving over a 22 ct. Hardanger fabric or 20 ct. linen is not as tight as on 32 or 36 ct. linen. It might work with a thinner needle, but there is an easier solution, and it works a treat without even being noticed on the front.

Always finish the thread, when you still have about 2.5 cm (1in) left. If the remaining thread looks longer, be absolutely sure if you can still finish needleweaving a bar and still have enough thread left to finish it properly. If you aren't sure, finish it. Never finish and start a thread in the middle of a bar.

I have included a graph you can easily follow. Try to run both threads not along the same bar, but in opposite directions. If you end up with both threads alongside the same bar, keep them underneath with one on each side and wrap tight. The pictures show you how the steps should look.

Step 1 – finishing the thread

Take thread on the back of embroidery along the next free bar (this does not have to be the next one to be worked, you can choose another one branching of the one you just finished) and bring it up to the front in the middle of the little square at the end of a bar.

Step 2

Thread needle with the new thread, make a knot at the end, bring the needle to the back in the centre of a little square at the end of the bar to be woven, run thread along the bar to the start and weave.

Step 3

Catch the thread on the back with each wrap and weave it into the bar. Weave tight and make sure the thread doesn't slip to the top. I've made this picture a little larger, so you can see the thread woven into the stitches.

Once you have finished the bar, cut off the knot, pull thread to the back and cut away the excess.

You have a neat start with a new thread. Treat the finished thread the same way. Once you have reached this bar, weave the thread into the bar, pull stub to the back and trim close to the woven bar. Once you've finished needleweaving, turn embroidery and trim all stubs that might still show.