How To Thread A Needle: Thread A Machine & Hand Sewing Needle
Recently updated on March 2nd, 2023
Threading needles come in various types, each with its tips and tricks. There is a slight difference in the tools required for each technique.
Would you mind telling me what type of needle you are trying to thread? What is your goal, and how are you planning to accomplish it? Here’s what we at SewingWithEase found.
How to Thread a Regular Hand Sewing Needle?
Here is what you’ll need:
- Your needle
- Thread
- Scissors or thread snips
- A needle-threader (optional)
- Beeswax (optional).
How to Thread a Self-Threading Hand Sewing Needle?
You’ll need to be equipped with the following:
- A self-threading needle
- Thread.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle by Hand?
To succeed, you will need the following:
- Thread
- Your sewing machine needle
- Scissors or thread snips
- Sewing machine needle threader (optional)
- Beeswax (optional).
How to Thread a Self-Threading Sewing Machine Needle?
The following are essentials for success:
- Thread
- Self-threading sewing machine needle.
How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle With an Automatic Threader?
You must have the following equipment:
- Thread
- Your sewing machine needle
- Your sewing machine’s attached needle threader.
3 Different Ways How to Thread a Needle for Hand Sewing
Method 1: Needle Threading for Regular Hand-Sewing
If you lose a button, you might carry a hand-sewing needle in your emergency kit. The tool consists of a thin metal rod with an eye on one end and a point on the other. Through the eye, the thread must be threaded. As you probably know, it can be more complicated than it seems.
Gather your materials
- You’ll need a needle
- Thread
- Snips or scissors
- Beeswax (optional)
- A needle-threader is also helpful (optional)
- Even though needle threaders aren’t strictly necessary, they simplify life. You should pay particular attention to the needle’s eye, especially if it is small and hard to see.
Preparation of your thread
- A thread jammed through the needle’s eye might be possible. Taking the time to prepare the thread makes it much easier.
- The thread should be cut at an angle at the end. This serves two purposes. The first step will be to remove the fuzz and fraying. These two factors can make threading a needle difficult. The remainder of the thread will be guided through the eye through the angle made by snipping.
- Applying some beeswax to the end of the thread is also possible if you wish. This will make the thread end straighter and stiffer. Additionally, this will make passing it through the needle’s eye easier.
Your needle threader
- There is something cool about needle threaders. You can get them for cheap, they’re easy to find, and they do the job well.
- What is the best way to use it? You’ll see how easy it is! Even the most minor needle eye can be threaded through the thin wire “eye” of the threader. To begin with, poke the wire through the eye.
- When it’s through, see how it expands. Isn’t the opening nice and big? Through that, thread your needle.
- Removing the threader is now as simple as pulling it back out. There will be a thread following. That’s all there is to it! It wasn’t hard at all.
Method 2: How to Thread a Hand Sewing Needle without a Threader
Although needle threaders are lovely, you don’t have to own one. The thread should go through the needle’s eye reasonably quickly if you’ve snipped the end of your thread and applied beeswax.
Method 3: Sewing With A Self-Threading Needle
There is a very small gap in the eye of self-threading needles, whether they are for hand sewing or sewing machines. The thread is loaded from the side of the needle with a self-threading needle. No cutting, poking, or waxing is allowed.
- There’s still work to be done, even with a self-threading needle. But thanks to the needle’s unique eye design, the job is a bit easier. Here’s how self-threading needles are threaded.
- Thread the needle by looping the thread around it.
- Pull it down as soon as it reaches the eye. Inserting the thread from the side will easily fit into the eye.
4 Ways to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle
In the same way, that hand-sewing needles can be threaded in various ways, sewing machine needles can be threaded in various ways. However, it would be best if you first prepared your machine.
Sewing Machine Preparation
The thread travels through the needle’s eye at the end of threading a sewing machine. Before proceeding to the next step, you must thread the top and bobbin threads. Here’s how you do it.
Follow the threading diagram on your sewing machine’s top thread
The top thread is threaded differently on every sewing machine model. When you examine your machine closely, you’ll find a diagram that shows exactly where your top thread should run. Different steps help to keep the thread from tangling, regulate the tension, and keep it flowing smoothly.
The bobbin thread
It is the bottom thread that is called the bobbin thread. Top-loading or front-loading bobbins are found on every sewing machine. The bobbin cover should be removed for a bobbin that loads from the top.
Once the bobbin is in place, slip it into place. Your bobbin cover should have a diagram. Some machines require the thread to be pulled from the left side of the bobbin, while others require it to be pulled from the right side.
Using the bobbin well slot, pull the thread through. By pulling it up and to the left, it will come out. Bobbins that load from the front (or side) undergo a different process.
The bobbin case needs to be removed first. Once the bobbin case is complete, insert the bobbin with top-loading bobbins, direction matters. Therefore, you should follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.
Pull the thread through the metal band after you guide it into the slot. Place the bobbin case back in the bottom compartment and close the door.
The Automatic Needle Threader Method: Threading a Sewing Machine Needle
An automatic needle threader is available on many modern sewing machines. The design may differ from machine to machine, but the function remains the same. Threading your sewing machine needle is made easier with an automatic needle threader.
No need to worry about poking tiny thread ends through tiny holes. In the same way, there is no need to cut or wax.
What is the best way to use an automatic needle threader? There are different sewing machines with different designs, but the steps are the same for most. The top thread is now ready to be threaded through the needle.
- Double-check your top thread first – How well did you guide your top thread through the threading diagram? Are you sure? That’s good.
- Opening the needle threader is the second step – It is common for automatic needle threaders to be spring-loaded. The needle threader can be opened by pressing the lever or button.
- The third step is to load the thread – The thread is usually pulled or pushed through the eye of your sewing machine needle by an automatic needle threader.
- The fourth step is to release the threader – The threader can now be released. It guides the thread through the needle and automatically returns to its original position. You can do it!
Using A Hand-held Needle Threader To Thread Your Sewing Machine
Automatic needle threaders aren’t always included with sewing machines. The situation can be irritating, but it’s not a catastrophe.
The needles of sewing machines can be threaded manually using a hand-held needle threader. They are cheap and easy to find, like threaders for hand-sewing needles. Similar to an automatic needle threader, they work by threading the needle.
- Positioning your threader is the first step—The pointy bits of your threader should face to the left as you hold it in your right hand. The hooks should be facing up at the top. There is a plunger on the needle threader, similar to a syringe. Your thumb should be on top of this, facing to the right.
- The second step is to insert the thread—Through the Y-groove, insert the thread horizontally. Above the eye of the needle, place the needle threader loaded with thread.
- The third step is to bring the threader down—When the inner wire of the threader catches the eye of the needle, slide the threader down the needle toward the eye.
- The fourth step is to push the plunger—Press the plunger as soon as the hook contacts the eye. Your sewing machine needle’s eye should be pushed through by this action.
- The last step is to finish the job—What is the purpose of the little plastic hook on the end? You’ll use it to pull the thread through the rest! The loop should be slipped through the hook and gently pulled. That’s it!
Sewing Machine Needle Threading Method 3
As with self-threading hand, sewing needles, self-threading sewing machine needles work similarly. It is possible to pull the thread through the gap in the eye without having to squint and poke at it.
Thread your sewing machine needle by looping the thread around it. Next, gently pull it toward your eye. You can now tug it sideways into your eye. That’s it!
No Threader, No Problem with Method 4
Last, there is the most straightforward method, but it isn’t easy. It can, however, be made less painful.
- Prepare your thread – Just as with a hand sewing needle, a fuzzy or frayed thread end can make threading a sewing machine needle difficult. Make sure your thread is ready. A dab of beeswax can be added to the tip if you wish. Cut the edge at an angle.
- Guide it through – The thread should now be guided through the eye. Thread is usually inserted from front to back on many sewing machines. The thread may, however, need to enter from the side in some cases.
Conclusion
A needle can be threaded in so many ways. Who knew? How did you know there were so many tips, tricks, and devices to make it easier? To ensure your thread stays in good shape, you need the right tools and give it a little tender, loving care.
