The Basic End Knot: What It Does and Why You Need It
An end knot (also called a finishing knot or backstitch knot) locks your thread at the end of a seam so stitches do not unravel when you remove the needle. Without it, every stitch you made can pull loose. The most common method takes three to five seconds and uses only the needle and thread you already have in your hand.
You tie the knot while the needle is still threaded and the fabric is still in the machine or in your hand. The goal is a small, tight knot buried in or just below the fabric surface so it does not catch on anything or create a visible bump.
Key Takeaways
- The hand-sewn end knot works by looping thread around the needle shaft, then pulling the needle through to cinch the loop tight against the fabric.
- Machine sewing uses a backstitch instead — you reverse the machine for three to four stitches at the end of the seam, which locks the thread mechanically.
- The knot should sit at the fabric surface or just below it; if it sits too far above, it will catch and pull loose over time.
- Practice on scrap fabric first, because the knot only works if you pull the thread tight enough to feel resistance.
Hand-Sewing End Knot: Step by Step
Bring your needle up through the fabric at the end of your seam, leaving the needle threaded. Do not cut the thread yet. You should have about two to three inches of thread between the fabric and the needle eye.
Wrap the thread around the needle shaft one time, close to the fabric surface. Hold the wrapped thread gently between your thumb and index finger so it does not slip. Push the needle through the loop you just created, pulling it all the way through. The thread will cinch into a small knot at the base of the needle.
Pull the needle away from the fabric to tighten the knot. You should feel resistance — if the thread slides easily, the knot is not tight enough. Once the knot is snug against the fabric, insert the needle back into the fabric right next to the knot, then bring it back out about one-quarter inch away. Cut the thread close to the fabric surface.
The knot should now be buried just under the fabric or sitting right at the surface. If it is sitting a quarter-inch above the fabric, it is too loose and will catch during wear or washing.
Machine Sewing End Knot: The Backstitch Method
Machine sewing does not use a hand-tied knot. Instead, you lock the thread by running the machine in reverse for the last three to four stitches of your seam. This creates overlapping stitches that hold the thread in place mechanically.
When you reach the end of your seam, locate the reverse button or lever on your machine — it is usually marked with an arrow pointing backward. Press and hold it while you sew backward for three to four stitches, then release the button and sew forward again for three to four stitches to cover the reverse stitches. This creates a tight knot of thread that cannot unravel.
Some machines have an automatic tie-off function that does this for you when you press a button or lift the presser foot. Check your machine manual to see if yours has this feature. If it does, you can use it instead of manually backstitching.
Common Mistakes That Weaken the Knot
The most common error is not pulling the thread tight enough. If you wrap the thread around the needle and push through without tension, the loop will not cinch properly and the knot will slip. Always pull hard enough to feel the thread resist.
Another mistake is tying the knot too far from the fabric. If you leave a gap between the knot and the surface, the knot sits in empty space and can catch on things. The knot should touch the fabric or sit just below it.
In machine sewing, backstitching too few times leaves the thread loose. Three stitches is the minimum; four or five is safer. If you backstitch only once or twice, the thread can still pull free under stress.
Do not cut the thread too close to the knot on hand-sewn seams. Leave at least one-eighth inch of thread tail so the knot does not unravel when you tug on it. On machine-sewn seams, you can cut closer because the backstitch locks the thread mechanically.
When to Use a Double Knot
A double knot — tying the knot twice instead of once — is useful for seams that will see heavy stress, such as the crotch seam on pants or the stress point on a bag handle. To tie a double knot, complete the first knot as described above, then wrap the thread around the needle again and repeat the process.
Double knots are also common in hand embroidery and decorative stitching, where the knot is meant to be visible and find. For everyday garment seams, a single knot is usually enough if it is tied tight.
Knots for Different Fabric Types
On stretchy fabrics like knit or spandex, pull the knot slightly tighter than you would on woven fabric. Stretchy fabric moves more, so a loose knot will slip. Some sewers add a tiny backstitch by hand after tying the knot on stretch seams for extra security.
On delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon, use a lighter touch when pulling the knot tight. These fabrics can tear if you pull too hard. A single, moderately tight knot is usually enough. Avoid double knots on delicate fabric unless the seam will see real stress.
On heavy fabrics like denim or canvas, you can pull the knot very tight without risk of tearing. These fabrics also benefit from a double knot on stress seams because the weight of the fabric puts constant tension on the thread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tie an end knot on a machine-sewn seam by hand?
Yes. After backstitching at the end of your seam, you can remove the fabric from the machine and tie a hand knot over the backstitched area for extra security. This is common on seams that will see heavy wear, such as on work clothes or bags. Tie the knot as you would for hand sewing, using the existing stitches as your anchor point.
What if my knot keeps slipping?
The thread is not tight enough. When you wrap the thread around the needle and pull through, you should feel real resistance — the thread should not slide easily. Practice pulling harder. Also check that you are wrapping the thread close to the fabric surface; wrapping too far up the needle makes the knot weaker.
Should the knot be visible on the back of the seam?
No. The knot should be buried inside the seam or just at the fabric surface where it is barely visible. If you can see a large knot bump on the back of your garment, it is tied too loosely or too far from the fabric. Untie it and try again, pulling tighter and keeping the wrap closer to the surface.
Do I need to tie a knot if I backstitch on the machine?
No. Backstitching locks the thread mechanically, so a hand-tied knot is not necessary. However, adding a hand knot over the backstitched area gives extra security on seams that will see heavy stress, such as on a bag or the crotch seam of pants.
What is the difference between an end knot and a starting knot?
A starting knot (or beginning knot) anchors the thread at the start of your seam so it does not pull loose when you begin stitching. An end knot locks the thread at the finish. Both use the same wrapping technique, but the starting knot is tied before you stitch and the end knot is tied after. On machine sewing, you backstitch at both the start and end instead of tying knots by hand.