Sew a Loop End on a Line

Loops are sewn into the ends of lines on paragliders, certain kites, and many other applications. It is a very strong way of creating a loop, and it does not snag as easily as a knot would

This is meant to be a very basic overview of how I sew a loop into the end of a line. I intend to keep it a broad as possible - it is quite simple, however, I personally would have liked to have found a simple instructional guide to it when I taught myself - so hopefully this is that for some people.

I use Bonded Nylon thread, however I know some people believe that other threads like Dacron are better for this use. 

To keep the line aligned when sewing, a guide plate is used. Anything fairly rigid - about 0.5 - 0.75 times the thickness of the line should work. The one pictured is plastic. This plate will get taped to the machine under the presser foot. Cut a slot in the plate twice the thickness of the line wide, by a few inches long. A sharp utility knife and straight edge work well,

I use clear packaging tape to secure the plate, but most anything should work. You may have to play around with it a bit to get the alignment just right

Once you get the plate aligned - get a scrap piece of line and tweak the zig-zag width to go slightly beyond (outward of) center.
To begin sewing a loop position everything carefully, and make a couple back and fourth stitches turning the machine manually to make sure everything is going where you want it. You will want the angle of the zig-zag to create somewhere  between a 45 and 90 degree angle with itself. See picture

Use a sharp needle - the sharper the needle, the less likely it is to catch fibers and damage them on its way through the line

Run the length of the overlap creating 90 degree angles, and go a few stitches beyond the end of the short tail. After cutting the thread, use a lighter and carefully melt little mushrooms on the end of the thread. Thats it! Good Luck