Crossstitchforum - A FREE forum for Cross Stitchers

How long is the thread that you all work with ?
When I look at posts where parking has been done it always looks like there is a whole lot of thread.

I usually have about 12 inches although I've read on some help pages you can use up to 18 inches. I find if I use threads that long they often knot so I keep to 12/14 inches.

Mine are about 16 to 18 inches I think when I start. I save the thread if it isn't too short (depends on my mood) to use again later when needed. I think that is a habit I picked up from decades ago when I did stitch from kits and invariably ran out of thread. Especially when I did crewel work. I don't do kits now so if I run out of thread I can only blame myself

Carole

I don't use the parking method but I cut my thread to about 24 inches and use the loop method so it halves it to 12. I use shorter lengths when backstitching

I usually stitch with about 18 inch lengths of floss

I use 4 skein lengths. That's what, 18"? Any longer than that & I get too much wear on the thread.

Regards

Richard.

I use a 12" thread. It seems to work well for me. I don't use the parking method, though!

I use an 18" ruler to wrap my thread as I cut a new skein - so 18". I've never been able to pull 1 or 2 threads for just so many inches and leave the bulk of the skein intact - I always ended up with a knotted mess. (Hence the ruler and cutting an entire skein.) I don't park but I keep a needle threaded with each symbol ready to go. That way if there is any length longer than 2 inches or so left, I put that needle back in the slot and move on to the next color. If I'm using metallics, it will be much shorter - 8" at most. It really doesn't matter - you just have to find that magical length that doesn't start out so long that you're poking the family member (or cat) sitting next to you or so short that you're aggravated at how often you have to reload the needle. It's a conundrum. (I think I spelled that right……) Happy Stitching.

As long as I can get away without the thread fraying -- so usually 12" to 18" for cotton floss -- unless if I'm working on aida or I'm not using a smooth-eye needle, both of which can really fray the thread quickly. In that case I use shorter lengths.

I park. If the needle is unthreaded, that can be up to 15" or 16" hanging down if I start a new symbol and just stitch a couple of stitches before the strand is parked. I leave the needles threaded while I'm working so there isn't anything hanging down, but when I finish that stitching session, I unthread the needles.

It "depends" the "size" of my projects and I use the "loop" method.
For my Baby and Wedding Remembrances, mostly 5" x 7" or 8" x 10", I "gently pull" to the "tugs" of 3 or 4. 3 "tugs" gives me 36" divided by 2 =18", 4 gives me 48" divided by 2=24". For my In Loving Memory Remembrances, 11" x 14", 5 paragraph poem, I do 4 "tugs" to give me 48"" divided by 2=24" depending "how long" the sentence is, in the "writing"sentence, by using the "skip" method of stitching. Skip "every other" stitch on the way" to" the "end " and on the "return" fill in the skipped stitches.
You can visit my website, in my profile, to see my " writing sentences instructions" of doing the, In Loving Memory Remembrances.

HAPPY STITCHING IN STITCHING LAND.

I don't measure, just eyeball it, but reading this thread I got curious. I took out a bobbin I recently used and I knew I wound a few strands back on it. They were 40 inches long, and I use the loop method, so I start with a 20 inch long thread. I think I might have worked with even longer ones.

I don't know, I just pull the thread from the skein.... I'd estimate about the same as others here, maybe 18"? Somewhere between 12-18" I'll say.

I use the LoRan thread organization system, so when I buy a skein of thread I immediately cut it and put it into my notebook. I use my metal guide sheet to wrap my thread, so the threads are a consistant 22" in length. I know some folks have problems with tangling, but I find if I drop my thread every 10 stitches or so this problem is minimized.

Too long

I usually start a project with ridiculously long threads because I don't like fastening on and off; then as I work on the project, and depending on the type of thread (stranded cotton, perle, silk, metallics) I go shorter if I have to. My perle threads tend to be about 90cm.