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| Needle threading... |
You may already know this, but just in case you don't...
Although I wear prescription glasses I sometimes still have trouble threading my machine and hand needles. I use these two little tricks that you might find helpful too:
1) you know how we always wet the thread?, well it also helps to wet the needle too. With both the thread and the needle being wet - the needle acts a little like a magnet drawing the thread to it. I once shared this bit of information with a friend and she said YUK!!! What can I say, it works.
2) when threading machine needles try the white paper trick. I cut little strips of white index cards (use the solid lineless side (strips cut 1/2" wide and 2 1/2" long just to make it easy to handle). Wet the thread (holding in left hand) and direct it toward the needle while holding the white paper in your right hand behind the needle. The white paper just makes it SOOOOO EASY to actually see the needle hole. I promise this will help. I keep a little stack of the paper strips them on my sewing table within easy reach because can you imagine just how many needles I thread...
Great tips, Faye. I took White Out in a bottle and painted on the needle bar, behind the needle. It really helps. Not my original idea.
ReplyDeleteHey Bunny, I like your white out idea better than my white paper idea.
DeleteAh, "white paper, very, very white paper!" (that line is from a dumb tv show from the 70s :)) But, that is a very good idea, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome!
DeleteThanks for this Faye. I use the white behind the needle trick. I velcroed strips of white cardboard to all my machines so I always have a handy strip at my fingertips.
ReplyDeleteVelcro, how handy!
DeleteHi, Faye -
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the white paper trick, you might also consider having some beeswax close at hand. It helps keep the end of the thread from fraying while you're passing it through the needle. One more thing... Beeswax is great for preventing knotting and tangling when sewing by hand.
I do use beeswax to prevent tangling thread, but hadn't thought about it to help me thread. Thank Vernelle!
DeleteHelpful tips. I keep a post it folded in half & a glue stick close by to help me thread a needle.
ReplyDeletePost it's a good idea too. We all have different methods. We are determined to get that needle threaded, huh!
Deletegreat tricks. Have used wetting the thread trick. I haven't wet the needle though. For my Europro machine, I use the needle threader that comes with sewing kits. The little metal and wire thing and insert it from back to front and put the thread through the wire and then pull the thread through the needle.
ReplyDeleteI use to use the needle threader on my machine until it mysteriously got broken off.
DeleteI didn´t know either of them. And I do have trouble threading the needle lately!
ReplyDeleteI knew there was at least one person who would need these suggestions Merche. Glad to be of help!
DeleteGreat tip. I will give this a try.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Rhonda!
DeleteMy machine has a built in needle threader so not really needed here but great tips to try if I ever need them, thanks :)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Shelly!
DeleteThanks Faye! I hope I can make this work while threading my dang serger!
ReplyDeleteGirl yes, sergers! I can get the needles threaded but it's threading that darned lower looper that trips me out. I have one serger where the left needle will NOT stay threaded. I've put it in the shop twice for the same problem - now it's doing it all over again. I SWORE I would not put another penny into repairing this thing. I'm gonna be on the look out for a replacement!!!
DeleteI have used the wet needle but not the white paper. Must try that.
ReplyDeleteIt works great Vicki!
DeleteHey Faye! I've not been on any sewing sites in so long since we bought the farm! I was happy to see you're still sewing away making beautiful clothes!!! I'm hoping to get back into some sewing after this summer harvest...
ReplyDeleteYou look great! I enjoyed looking at your blog!
God Bless :)
Angelia,oh yes, and you have been missed!!! I miss seeing your designs because you so use to inspire me! It will be good to see you posting again - you and your fabulous collection of machines! I still remember and thank you for sending me that Burda Magazine!
DeleteAnother tip for hand sewing needles - turn the needle around. Since they are stamped, someimtes the inside of the eye just threads easier in one direction than the other.
ReplyDeleteI do like the threader on the machine, but it does NOT work for small needles. I think I'll add white to the presser foot ankle. I love that Bernina already did that for many of their presser feet - at least the ones that fit the 1020/1030.
I like your ideas. They really work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Faye.
Love the white file card idea.... that is one that I've never heard.
ReplyDeleteI have found that I can't sew any more with my contacts in... lol
Yep, I have to sew with my glasses on and then slide then down my nose a bit... nothing like telling the whole world I'm loosing it! Anyway... anything for the love of sewing! Lol... Thanks for the idea though. I will keep it in mind if my self threader (for the machine) doesn't work!