10 Needle Threading Tricks
One of the trickiest parts of sewing is the threading of the needle. It can be quite frustrating and we find ourselves relieving expletives. The circle it takes to fit in a thread in a needle is quite unnecessary and can be avoided.
While some devised certain means of their own to help them get the needle’s eye threaded more easily, others are stuck with performing this arduous task the way they can.
This task can be more frustrating when you have a flimsy thread (like the Perle cotton embroidery thread) and a tiny needle eye, using a magnifying glass could be helpful in some instances, but not all the time.
To help you get your job done easier and faster and limit the time spent on threading your needle, here are 10 best tricks and tips of needle threading.
These tips will include tricks for your hand needle and machine needle. Keep reading to learn more!
Needle Threading Tricks
Contents
- Needle Threading Tricks
- Trick 1: Use the Old and Conventional method
- Trick 2: Select The Right Needle Size
- Trick 3: Use Self – Threading Needles
- Trick 4: Using a White Background
- Trick 5: Rubbing Your Hand with The Needle
- Trick 6 (Using Sewing Tools): Tweezers
- Trick 7 (Using Sewing Tools): Built-in Needle Threaders
- Trick 8: Wire- loop Needle Threader and Desktop Hand Needle Threader
- Trick 9: Using a piece of paper
- Trick 10: Water Droplets
- How Do I Close The Threading?
- Do I Have To Close The Threading For My Sewing Machine?
Looking for the best way to thread your needle without losing your sanity? Here is a comprehensive list of the best tricks and tips to thread your needle:
Trick 1: Use the Old and Conventional method
The general and natural way of passing a thread in a needle, which most people know involves – squinting your eyes and passing the cut end of your thread through the needles eyes.
This medium can be stressful. To make this easier and stress free you can follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Cut the thread at a 45 degree angle and this should be done with a very sharp scissors. Using a blunt scissor can cause split ends in the thread.
Step 2: Stiffen the thread ends, this can be done by pinching the end together with your thumb, spraying it with hairspray, rubbing it over beeswax or just sticking it in your mouth.
Step 3: Then you push the eye of the needle over the thread instead of the thread over the needle. It is natural to push the thread into the needle but it works better if you push the needle into the thread.
Flatten the thread, pinch it tightly leaving about ? inch out then try guiding the needle eye to the thread.
Trick 2: Select The Right Needle Size
When selecting your needle, you look out for the perfect needle size for what you want to do. Embroidery needle’s eye are usually larger than normal needles and easier to thread.
However getting a needle with large eye just for easier threading can cause you having larger holes than needed in the cloth, and if you try squeezing a thick thread through a small eye, you just end up with shredded end.
You should aim for balance, for example; fine bobbin thread, works well with a small needle eye. Thicker button and carpet thread will need a larger eye to easily take in the thread.
Apart from easy threading, finding the right eye also prevents the thread from snapping or damaging when sewing.
Trick 3: Use Self – Threading Needles
The self-threading needles are easy to thread needles, which makes it easier and faster for you to thread your needle. These needles come with a slit in the eye where you can easily slip your thread in.
This is an easy way out for those who struggle with fixing their threads. The major problem with this technique is holding the needle while fixing the thread, you will need to feel the needle to find the slit.
It is advisable to keep the needle in an upright position so enable easy access, using a pin cushion to keep it upright would make it easier for you.
Trick 4: Using a White Background
Placing the needle on a white background will make the eye more visible, thereby allowing you to easily thread the needle.
Whether you are threading a sewing machine needle or hand held needle placing a white background (this can be a piece of white cardboard or cloth) behind it creates a contrast and allows the eye to be more visible.
Keep a white cardboard piece pinned to your pincushion for easy access.
Trick 5: Rubbing Your Hand with The Needle
This is one of the many tricks you would sure have bumped into on instagram or other social media platforms. This is a threading hack that allows you to easily fit in your thread by just rubbing the needles on your palm.
To do this, first you place the thread on your palm and then run the needle over the thread, bringing it back and forth. This action would make the thread push itself through the needle’s eye.
This may take a while if you try it for the first time, but continuous practice and you’ll get it done faster.
Trick 6 (Using Sewing Tools): Tweezers
Tweezers are sewing tools designed to help you grab and pull the thread when it is gone out of the eye of a hand held needle or sewing machine needle. They help you hold unruly threads steady when threading your needle.
A longer and bent handle tweezers will be perfect for threading a serger. Regular tweezers with slanted edges can be used to grip the ends of the thread so you can easily slip it through the needle’s eye.
Trick 7 (Using Sewing Tools): Built-in Needle Threaders
Some sewing machines come with built in needle threaders, while some works automatically with just a click of the button, others need to be operated manually. To use this feature, follow this easy steps:
Step 1: You fix your needle in its highest position ensuring the eye of the needle lines up with the threader. The thread should be held to the left of the needle.
Step 2: Draw the thread down around the threader guide bringing it from left to right in front of the needle.
Step 3: Push down the threader knob as far as possible. A small hook will come through the needle eye from the back.
Step 4: Place your thread under the small hook, keeping the thread parallel to the table.
Step 5: Release the threader knob slowly while holding the thread end with your hand. There is a loop pulled through the needle eye now.
Step 6: Remove the loop from the threader and pull out the thread end through the needle eye. This needle threading can range from a pull-down lever that you can control to a push-button feature that allows the machine do the work of threading, this is quite invaluable.
Trick 8: Wire- loop Needle Threader and Desktop Hand Needle Threader
The wire loop needle threader comes with a set of sewing needles and other sewing sets. To use this threader, you just push the loop through the eye of the needle, push your thread through the needle and pull the loop back through the eye.
One setback with this is that they are not always durable and if your needle eye is very tiny the loop might not be able to pass through.
The Desktop hand needle threader on the other hand is like a plastic box and it is designed for big eyed needles and tiny eyed needles.
It is quite easy to operate, you just need to push the needle down the appropriate funnel, place the thread in the gulley, pull the slider over it and then push the thread through the eye. There you have it, it is done!
Trick 9: Using a piece of paper
When you have no needle threader, this is a very interesting trick you can use to thread your needle- using a tiny piece of paper.
You will need a 1-2 inches long paper, with its width smaller than the eye of the needle. Fold it in half, place the end of the thread inside the paper, then slip through the needle’s eyes, this should go very smoothly.
Trick 10: Water Droplets
Drops of water can be used to pass your thread through the needle with just a little manipulation. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Put a drop of water on your thumb or forefinger.
Step 2: Put your wet finger near the side of the hand-held needle where the thread is to pass through. Your fingers should be close to the eye but still have enough space for the thread to pass through.
The droplet of water will act as a magnet drawing the thread through the eye.
How Do I Close The Threading?
After successfully threading your needle, it is very important that you knot it very tightly to avoid it getting loose while sewing, this is essential for handheld needles.
Do I Have To Close The Threading For My Sewing Machine?
No, sewing machine needles do not need to be closed or knotted.
Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.
I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.
It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.
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