GagaSmith

I just read GAgal's topic about burying threads after quilting. Someone recommended a cheater needle. I've seen posts about this before, but can't seem to find the needles. I've looked at Joann's, Hobby Lobby and LQS. Are they a specialty item only available online or something?
Thanks for any help.
gaga

MTS

I think they're called Self-Threaded Needles. I don't have the packaging anymore.

Yep, that's what they're called.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd49467

I think I got mine at Houston, but I'm sure they are made by many companies.

If you look closely, you'll see the top is shaped a bit differently. It has a slit in it, and it allows you to just "pop" the thread in. And then you can sew with it.
Personally, I don't recommend using it for regular sewing - I did the binding on a quilt with it and really cut up my fingers.
Those are sharp points on top.

But to use it to bury threads - such a pleasure.
And makes the whole process go quickly.


And then there's this one:
http://www.spiraleyeneedles.com/
Very cool looking, but a lot pricier. It's actually the only pop-up I ever saw here that was interesting enough to click through to see more. ;-)

craftybear

wow, thanks for the information and the link

the casual quilter

You can also find self threading needles under the Clover brand and the John James brand. I found some at Hobby Lobby a while back.

debcavan

Nancy's Notions mail order has them

Airwick156

I have alot of these needles. My mother in law gave me them before she died. I use them for handsewing the binding on the quilts. I like them alot as I am visually handicapped and I can't see to thread regular needles.

MTS

I think the one I'm using was a John James.
I just picked the first one for the post upthread.

But clearly Joann's has a selection.

Here's Dritz:
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd34021

Here's John James
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd17943
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd49459

And what the heck is this? Interesting.
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...RODID=prd38563
I'll have to pick up some of these next time.

GagaSmith

Thank you all for the information. Thank you Airwick 156. I sent you a pm.

CAS49OR

All needles have a groove above the eye, if you aim in that general direction with a sharp thread you will hit the eye of the needle. Just push in and down with the thread.

QuiltnNan

i recently got the spiral eye needles. they are made just down the road from me :) i love the ease of threading the needle.