How to Sew a Thread Bar

Video Length: 2:36
Produced by: Victoria North

While on the road at the American Sewing Guild conference we caught up with Threads contributing editor Susan Khalje. In this quick video, Susan shares a technique for creating a thread bar. Stronger than a thread chain, this option is perfect for a garment with a button or hook.

Also, don't miss Susan's techniques for sewing a thread chain and attaching metal fasteners.

Victoria North, executive web producer
Posted on Feb 28th, 2011 in sewing, how-to, tips & tricks, videos, fundamentals

Comments (5)

MrsHGW writes: I like your instruction style. I'm going to do the extra knots like you do in the future. Since I do tatting I know that the reason the thread "twirls" or twists is that you are doing the same blanket stitch across the work. Like Phoebebird says: Do a half hitch knot across and your problem is solved. This means first put your needle under the thread and the next time put it over the thread, or to put it another way: first from the top then from the bottom. If my words don't help, look up "half hitch knot" elsewhere or else I think searching "needle tatting chain stitch" (not "shuttle tatting")should show you how. If you are a lefty just start on the side that is most natural for you. Tying off neatly seems difficult but a quilter's knot at the end works well and snip it close. Or lay my favorite tool (a blue tooth-flossing plastic thread shaped like a large eyed needle, available at drug stores)down on the bar threads, with the eye end facing the end (not the beginning)of the work. Sew over it and the bar threads and at the end tuck your clipped short thread end into the eye and pull the flosser out in the direction of the beginning, which pulls the thread end under your other stitches. Hope that answers your questions.
Posted: 5:06 pm on January 15th

calmbca writes: I like the anchoring of the bar threads. Could you please tell us how to best end this and tie it off? Thanks so much for your help!
Posted: 2:00 pm on April 10th

MissMarie writes: Does this look or behave differently to doing a blanket stitch - haven't seen this version in any of the books I have. I would have to work right to left, being left handed otherwise it is unweildy. Very clear instructions.

Thank you
Posted: 1:25 am on March 26th

lovemysinger writes: That sounds logical, Phoebebird. I'll try that next time. Thanks.

Posted: 5:18 pm on March 6th

Phoebebird writes: Very timely, I just finished doing this for a customer's brides-maid's gown. I like the anchor stitches at the end of each long stitch. To stop the threads from twisting I find that by going first from right-to-left then left-to-right under the thread loops, in essence mimicking a macrame knot of sorts, I can eliminate any twisting and it makes for a neat thread bar. Sorry if my explanation is fuzzy. I also use a thimble and will push the eye-end of the needle through so as to avoid an accidental stitch. Hope this might help a little and not be too confusing in my description.
Posted: 4:35 pm on March 6th

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