Last month I mentioned I would explain a LOOP STARTS to you, and if you've  never tried this before, I think it will become a favorite! This is a way to begin stitching with NO tail - what could be better than that?  It works best with even numbers of strands, so if you're working with 2 strands (2X), 4 strands (4X), or even 6 strands (6X), this is the method for you!

Begin by cutting a length of thread TWICE AS LONG as you would normally use - so if you like an 18" floss length for stitching, cut a 36" length.  Remove half the number of strands of threads you want to stitch with from the length. So, for example, if you want to stitch with 2 strands (2X), remove ONE strand from the extra long length you just cut.

Fold the separated strand(s) in half, so the raw ends are together (you will now have double the strands to stitch with).  Feed the RAW ENDS through the eye of the needle - the fold in the floss will form a loop at the tail end of the floss.

Come up from the back of the fabric in your starting position, but leave 2-3" of floss on the wrong side of the fabric.  Go back down in the second stitching position (forming a 1/2 stitch, / ), and thread the needle through the loop at the end of the length of floss.  NOW gently tighten the floss - and your thread is anchored in place, with NO tail!

Here's a pic for those of you who are more visual learners (wink):

This is an especially useful way to begin a thread when you're doing lettering, which can be quite thin and hard to hide tails in!  That's it for this month... happy stitching!