How to Pull and Cut Embroidery Floss for Beginners

If you’re new to embroidery, learning how to handle your thread properly can make stitching much easier.

A standard skein of embroidery floss usually contains about 8 metres of thread, but you don’t need to unwind the whole skein before you start.

If you’re working on your first beginner embroidery kit, this is one of the first simple skills worth learning.

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How to Pull Embroidery Floss from a Skein

When you look closely at a skein of embroidery floss, you’ll usually find two loose ends.

Start by gently pulling one end.

If the thread slides out smoothly, keep pulling until you reach the length you need.

If the skein starts to twist, tighten or bunch up, stop pulling. Don’t force it. Simply try the other loose end instead.

From the right end, the thread should slide out much more smoothly, so you don’t need to open or unravel the whole skein.

Wrong End
The skein twists or bunches up when you pull.

Right End
The thread slides out smoothly from the skein.

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How Long Should Embroidery Thread Be?

For beginners, I recommend using around 60–80 cm of embroidery floss at a time.

Using a very long piece of thread might seem more convenient because you won’t need to rethread your needle as often, but longer thread is much more likely to tangle, twist or form knots while you stitch.

A shorter length is easier to control, especially when you’re just starting out.

Once you have pulled out around 60–80 cm, simply cut the thread from the skein.

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What to Do Next

After cutting your thread, you may need to separate your embroidery floss strands, depending on how many strands your project requires.

Once your strands are ready, the next step is learning how to thread an embroidery needle before you begin stitching.

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A Simple Tip to Remember

You don’t need to unravel the entire skein every time you use embroidery floss.

Just remember:

Pull gently. If the skein starts to twist, try the other end. Then cut around 60–80 cm at a time.

This simple habit can help keep your thread neat and make stitching much easier for beginners.