Do you find it challenging to thread a needle? You are not alone, my friend. It can be hard getting that wimpy thread to push through the teeny, tiny eye of a needle. The primary problem is that the thread is limp. It droops and bends and splits, and generally behaves like it has a mind of its own and is actively resisting you. It can be so aggravating.
I’m going to show you 3 easy ways, starting with the EASIEST way, to thread a needle. Read on!
But let me show you this cool floss hack so you can separate the strands of embroidery floss without any tangles.
NOW you’re ready to move on. Check out this 3 minute video for a quick tutorial on 3 different ways to thread your needle.
Then read below for more detail.
Thread a Needle Without a Needle Threader
The Fold Over and Pinch Method is by far the easiest way to thread your needle without a needle threader. No water, no wax, no spit. lol
1. Fold the thread over the needle.
2. Pull the thread tightly around the needle, and pinch it between your thumb and forefinger.
3. Then, pull the needle out from between your fingers. By pinching it, the thread is being supported by your fingers, so it isn’t floppy or droopy.
Your fingers should be loose enough so that you can just barely see the fold of the thread pinched between them.
4. Place the eye of the needle over the thread, and push it down. The needle is enveloped by your fingers while they are still also holding up the thread.
Keep pushing the eye of the needle down until the thread is eventually pushed through the eye of the needle.
This fold over method also works for machine needles, too! And will work for any thread: cotton, satin, metallic, glow-in-the-dark.
Of the three ways taught here, it is the ONLY way to thread a needle with a large number of threads. I was able to thread 16 STRANDS OF FLOSS through a single eye of a needle – and I recorded it if you want to see.
How to Thread a Needle with a Needle Threader
It’s not cheating, I swear!
A needle threader is a small, flat object with a thin, wire loop. Hold the flat end of the needle threader with one hand, and the needle with the other.
1. Push the wire loop through the head of the needle
2. Keep the loop in the eye of the needle, and push the end of the thread through the wire loop.
3. Pull the loop out of the eye of the needle, and it takes the thread with it. Easy!
How to Thread a Needle by Licking It
Yep. That’s how my Mom first taught me. But I don’t actually put the fiber in my mouth. Instead, I wet my fingers. You should have already washed your hands before sitting down to stitch anyways – don’t judge. 🙂
Or, barely touch your forefinger to the surface of a glass of water, and touch your thumb to transfer some of the water. Pinch the end of the thread between your thumb and forefinger so that it gets a little wet.
If the end of the thread has frayed a bit or has started to separate, snip off a little so that the new end is tightly woven. Then wet it. The moisture reinforces the end of the thread a little bit, so that it is more stiff.
You could also use beeswax or thread conditioner, but these aren’t always readily available.
Now you can push the thread through the eye of the needle with less trouble.
I hope you found this useful so you can get back to stitching quickly after changing threads.
Just keep stitching!
