Every single project in the sewing world, from stitching a little button on your shirt to sewing a new shirt from scratch, calls the first step of threading the needle.
Now, this threading can be done on a hand needle or a sewing machine needle and we will be talking about both along with some tricks and tools that will help you in the process.
Needless to worry because you will soon get the hang of the easiest process of threading a needle with just a little practice.
So, let us start learning together!
Tip: Get a hand needle with a wider eye (the hole in the needle on the opposite end of the pointed tip).
This will be easy to learn if you are trying it for the first time.
And always choose a needle that can accommodate your thread i.e., the eye of the needle must be bigger than the thickness of your thread.
How to Thread a Needle
For Threading the Sewing Machine Needle
First, always make sure to properly guide the thread from the spool on the top to the bottom needle of your sewing machine as per the guidelines in your manual (or follow the standard procedure of threading a sewing machine).
If your sewing machine comes with an attached threader, you can follow the following steps to easily pass the thread through the needle but if your sewing machine does not have one then, you can either use Method 1 or Method 2 to thread your needle.
Step 1– Place your needle on the highest point possible and press down the presser foot for more space.
Step 2– Pull the attached threader down until it can go no further. You will see a piece of wire going inside the needle’s eye.
Step 3– There will be a hook or little bar where you have to wrap your thread once i.e., go around this point with your thread (left to right or vice-versa).
Step 4– Now look for a hook on the other side of the needle and grip the thread over this hook by pulling the thread at a right angle from the previous hook or bar.
Step 5– Once you are ready, slowly release the thread and the threader; remove the thread which is still hooked up to the threader; pull the thread towards the backside of the needle, and your needle will be threaded.
Some Tips:
- Always have a white background at the back to see the needle’s eye clearly.
- Have a good light source directed towards the needle.
- Never pull the thread in a hurry because you might pull it on the wrong side.
For Hand Needle:
Start by unspooling and trimming at least 30 cm of thread. Remember to trim with scissors to avoid any fiber sticking out from the ends of your thread. You can also lick the end or apply some beeswax or hair spray for the same.
Method 1- The Conventional Method
Start by unspooling and trimming at least 30 cm of thread. Remember to trim with scissors to avoid any fiber sticking out from the ends of your thread. You can also lick the end or apply some beeswax or hair spray for the same.
Step 1– Grab the needle in one hand and the trimmed thread in the other.
Step 2– Slowly insert (push) one end of the thread inside the eye of your needle. Once done, hold this end from the other side, pull it, and bring it near to the other end i.e., double the thread on itself.
Tip: you can try bringing the needle near the thread or vice-versa. It depends on which way is comfortable for you.
Also, if you are unable to guide the thread through, try tilting the needle to an angle where you can see the needle’s eye clearly.
Step 3– Create a tight knot on the big end of the thread for a single thread stitch but for a double thread stitch tie a knot together with the two loose ends. And good job because you have threaded your needle.
Tip: for tying a knot for double thread stitch- loop a few rounds of the ends of thread (held together) around your middle finger; now pinch and roll these loops with your thumb all the way out of the middle finger; pull these loops away and as they tighten, your knot will be tied.
Method 2- Use a hand-held threader
A hand-held threader is a very thin piece of steel with a loop of wire on the top.
Step 1– Grab your needle in one hand and the threader in the other. Now slowly insert the wire loop of the threader inside the eye of your needle.
Tip: if you are unable to guide the threader through, try tilting the needle to an angle where you can see the needle’s eye clearly.
Step 2– Now put the end of your thread through the threader’s wire loop and double it on itself, just like you put it through the needle’s eye in Method 1.
Step 3– Once the thread passes from the wire loop, pull the threader out of the needle’s eye. Your thread would automatically be inserted in the needle’s eye and your needle will be threaded.
Method 3- Use Desk Hand Needle Threader
It is a small desktop-like tool with a place to put the needle, a slot to put thread, and some levers or sliders that guide the thread into your needle.
Step 1– Properly place the desk threader on a plain surface; now place your thread over the valley-like slot and the needle in the needle slot with its eye going inside the threader.
Step 2– Now press the lever or sliders gently.
Step 3– Now take the needle out of the slot and you will observe a little loop of thread passing through the needle’s eye.
Step 4– Pull the loop out of the eye such that the thread passes through the eye. Your needle is threaded.
Final Words:
With age, our eyes tend to lose focus, and therefore, sewing becomes a frustrating task.
Therefore, you can use the tips and affordable tools mentioned above to make needle threading easier for both hand and sewing machine needles.
And if you are a beginner, with these steps you can master how to properly thread a needle.
