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-   -   What I learned about needles for your hand quilters out there (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/what-i-learned-about-needles-your-hand-quilters-out-there-t96642.html)

Iamquilter 02-05-2011 11:33 AM

Ive alwalys wet my needle and it also makes a difference which end you use to thread the needle. The end you cut off of the spool goes in first and gets notted.

Plain Jane 02-05-2011 11:35 AM

I never knew. Thanks.

marthahelen 02-05-2011 11:37 AM

Yes, it does make sense and I just recently read that tip and it works.

hairquilt 02-05-2011 12:06 PM

I've hand quilted for 20 yrs & didn't know that either. Gonna try it

chamby 02-05-2011 12:18 PM


Originally Posted by Happy Treadler
Did you know that there is actually a right side and a wrong side to thread a hand needle?? Learned it yesterday in my new American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. It said if you're having trouble threading a needle, turn it around. It actually worked!!

Just wanted to share in case I wasn't the only one who didn't know that.

Trina

Wow been hand quilting for years. I have never heard that one.

katei 02-05-2011 01:12 PM

Didn't know that one - thanks. One tip I was given and it works for me is to place a piece of white fabric behind the needle - it's amazing how much easier it is to see they eye of the needle!

MerryQuilter 02-05-2011 02:21 PM

Yes use it all the time. Also wet it

Taughtby Grandma 02-05-2011 04:00 PM

My trouble with threading a needle is that they are making the holes way too tiny anymore, its too hard to see! haha

jme 02-05-2011 04:22 PM

I had no idea, thanks!

Pieceful Quilter 02-05-2011 05:01 PM

Learn something new every day, and you will never grow old (well - maybe that is a stretch...) Thanks for the tip. I did not know that, so I am now younger!!

Janis 02-05-2011 05:03 PM

OK everyone, now that you have your needle threaded and the other end nearest the spool knotted, slip your needle in the middle of the thread of the tail closes to the needle, about 1-2 inches away from the end of that tail. Sometimes it takes a while to do this the thinner the thread is, but keep trying. Then pull it through and the thread will be kind of knotted at the needle. It is knotted enough to keep the needle from becoming un-threaded most of the time, but still will go through the fabric. Try it and see. To take the thread off the needle, just pull that little tail and it will come off the needle. I ALWAYS do this with all of my needles and don't lose any in the pincushion. A threaded needle is always easier to find than one that is not.
Janis
Is everyone scurrying to get a needle and thread and try this? :)

Flapper 02-05-2011 05:41 PM

Did not know this, but I will try it, hate it when my needles comes unthreaded during stitching!

JUNEC 02-05-2011 06:13 PM


Originally Posted by Hinterland
Another trick is to wet the needle eye - it wicks the thread through.

How interesting, I usually wet the thread - Will have to try wetting the needle itself

Betty K 02-05-2011 06:42 PM

If you look at the eye of the needle, the edges of the right side of the eye are slightly flared out. The other side has straight edges making it tighter to thread.

Anna.425 02-05-2011 07:29 PM

Great tip. Once I put my glasses on I am usually okay however I will remember this. LOL

Campbell34 02-05-2011 08:26 PM

I learned along time ago too that you thread the needle as it comes off the spool , do not cut a piece and thread from other end of the cutoff piece , it is because of the way thread is made or wound :thumbup:

jojosnana 02-05-2011 08:53 PM

Great tip. who knew?

Lyncat 02-05-2011 09:00 PM

My MIL gave me some old needle packages. The other day I used one to stitch something up, and I couldn't believe how nice it was. Way better than any newer ones I've used. I'll be looking for more vintage needles!

martha jo 02-05-2011 10:11 PM

Did you know that there is a right way and right way of thread also. I learned in EGA years ago that if you are hand sewing and your thread tends to curl or get knots rethread it the other end and it will stop. We were told that thread made in Europe arrives here on huge cones and is rewound onto spools and is often wound onto the spools where it comes off the wrong way. Wouldn't have believed it but it works. I can't look at it and tell right from wrong but some swear they can.

Pickles 02-05-2011 10:43 PM

Great Tips thanks to everyone for sharing your tips :-D

dollycathy 02-06-2011 05:43 AM

great tip, just need new eyes now so that i can see the needle.

kyleewonder 02-06-2011 07:09 AM

Thanks

redbugsullivan 02-06-2011 08:01 AM

This thread is amazing! Pun intended.

shrabar 02-06-2011 01:56 PM

ALSO IF YOU CUT YOUR THREAD AT AN ANGLE IT WILL BE EASIER TO THREAD YOUR NEEDLE... HAPPY QUILTING

Janice Thompson 02-06-2011 05:44 PM

It's also easier to thread the needle from the spool before you cut.

rob529 02-06-2011 08:25 PM

I do cut my thread at an angle. If I have trouble threading I have turned my thread around but never thought of turning the needle around.

Robin in TX

Airwick156 02-06-2011 08:27 PM

I didn't know that.

Annz 02-06-2011 09:14 PM

Thanks for the info. I love your quote.

yellowsnow55 02-07-2011 12:15 AM

Thanks for the tips, will try them all.

sak658 02-07-2011 12:17 AM

Wow. who would have guess that one. Learn something new every day, which is good I was told.

pheasantduster 02-07-2011 06:10 AM

This is the best idea yet. I can't believe how it works so well. Thank you

Originally Posted by Hinterland
Another trick is to wet the needle eye - it wicks the thread through.


Marilyn Philips 02-08-2011 08:40 PM

I saw the same article and was really surprised. Have not had a chance to try it out yet.

majormom 10-22-2011 07:37 PM


Originally Posted by Janis
OK everyone, now that you have your needle threaded and the other end nearest the spool knotted, slip your needle in the middle of the thread of the tail closes to the needle, about 1-2 inches away from the end of that tail. Sometimes it takes a while to do this the thinner the thread is, but keep trying. Then pull it through and the thread will be kind of knotted at the needle. It is knotted enough to keep the needle from becoming un-threaded most of the time, but still will go through the fabric. Try it and see. To take the thread off the needle, just pull that little tail and it will come off the needle. I ALWAYS do this with all of my needles and don't lose any in the pincushion. A threaded needle is always easier to find than one that is not.
Janis
Is everyone scurrying to get a needle and thread and try this? :)

This really works! Thimblelady says to do this 3 times. So that's what I've been doing. But I will try doing it just the one time to see how that goes, thanks!


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