Self-threading needles
 

Does anybody have any recommendations for self-threading needles that actually work and don't shred the thread? I would like to find some to use for embroidery threads, especially with the heavier perle cottons. I like them for big stitch quilting and applique, etc.

thanks!

Which ones have you tried? I've only seen and used the Spiral Eye needles. TBH, I don't use them very often because I prefer to sew through my thread so that my needle doesn't come unthreaded.

I only use my self- threading needles to bury my knots from quilting. I tried to use them for hand sewing but, they are really tough on your fingers. I use the clover needle threader for my hand sewing now. But I don't think it would work with the larger thread you are talking about using.

Well, I've never tried any at all! The thicker threads are a problem, even with a needle threader, and I've seen the self-threading ones used in some video demos that seemed to work well, and I just wanted to try them. I'm not sure what a spiral eye needle is - when I googled them, I clicked a link that took me to amazon and they appear to be needles that you thread by pressing the thread against the side so that it goes up into the eye - is that what you mean? That, actually, is what I have seen in videos.
And I don't know what you mean by "sew through my thread" - ?
I guess I just don't know much!

I have the side threading needles, and would find them very cumbersome to do any type of continuous hand sewing or embroidery. I find that the slit that takes the thread is easy to catch on the fibers of the fabric that I am going through and i have to un-snag nearly everytime. I use them only to bury threads, nothing repetitive.

Yes. Spiral Eye needles are in the "self-threading" category you asked about. You don't need to poke the end of the thread through the eye of the needle.

After I thread my needle, I stitch through the end of the thread that is close to the eye 3 times. By doing this, my needle won't come unthreaded, and it slips through the fabric easily.

I've tried the ones with the slit on the side, and the slit snags on the fabric. The ones that you pop the thread through, snag and shred the thread. I don't like either one. There are heavier needle threaders out there for pearl cotton. I use a hummingbird threader for my regular threads. It works really well.