Threading a needle for sewing may seem like a simple task, but threading through the needle may be a nightmare for someone who doesn’t have good hand and eye coordination or someone with shaky hands. The needle threader is a device created to make needle threading easier for sewists.
Needle threader not only allows sewists to achieve coordination but also helps them to maintain balance so that their hand will be appropriately positioned to put the thread through the needle eye. The only thing is needle threaders come with a price, and as a result, may not come in handy, hence, the nonstop search for what to use if I don’t have a needle threader. This helpful article will provide useful information regarding what can be used instead of a needle threader.
What to use when I don’t have a needle threader?
There are no sewing tools that can be used in place of needle threaders, but notwithstanding, you can create an alternative tool from items you can see around your house. In the next section, you will find a helpful guide on how you can make your needle threader.
How do I make a homemade needle threader?
- Make sure all the materials you will need for the DIY needle threader are available. Items you will be required include the following; rubber cement, 3mm beading wire, a binder clip, scrapbook paper, thin cardboard, a paper punch, turbo glue, a wire bending tool, and scissors.
- Cut out 2 pieces each from both the scrapbook paper and thin cardboard using the paper punch. The perfect punch to use is one that is at least 1/2 inch wide so that you can have a better grip when you start threading.
- Affix the cardboard and scrapbook paper pieces together using the rubber cement in such a way that one side will be scrapbook paper and the other side will be cardboard. Leave afterwards to dry.
- Cut off about 2.5 inches of the beading wire. Although you can cut them into smaller or longer sizes depending on what you want, this is just the standard length, as it will make binding easier.
- Bend the cut wire in half and press the curved end of the with the wire bender until it becomes pointed.
- Create 2 additional creases about half an inch below the folded point such that the wire will have a triangular shape with overlapping ends.
- With your thumb, hold the overlapping ends at the meeting point to create a stem.
- On the cardboard side, apply glue on the punched paper pieces and line the wire pieces up such that the stem is placed in the glue, leaving the triangular section sticking out from the bottom of the shape.
- Apply pressure on your two halves with the binder clips to make a tighter bond and also prevent the wire from dangling around or even slipping off the two pieces.
Easy ways to thread a needle without a needle threader?
The needle threader provides an easy way to thread needles, but in the absence of this sewing tool, you can also use the technique known as the fold-over and pinch technique. Check below for details.
- Have the thread folded over the needle.
- Pull the thread and pinch it tightly around the needle with your thumb and forefinger.
- Gently release the needle from between your fingers and pull the thread tightly below the needle, making sure the thread is not droopy.
- Place the needle eye over the thread, then push it down. Your finger should envelop the needle while also holding up the thread.
- Continue to push down the needle eye until you can push the thread through the needle eye.
How do you get a thick thread through a needle?
- Even out the tip of the yarn.
- Cut out a small piece of paper that can pass through the needle’s eye.
- Wrap the paper piece around the yarn tip, ensuring that no part of the yarn is sticking out.
- Pass the piece of paper through the needle eye.
What kind of sewing tool is a needle threader?
The needle threader is a sewing device that is designed to help sewists easily pull the thread through the needle’s eye. This sewing tool is designed in different ways, but the most common types are usually the short, thin wire types that are bent into the shape of a diamond.
How do you make a needle threader punch?
Items needed
28 to 36 gauge wire or e-string from a guitar.
- Cut about 20-inch pieces of wire.
- Line the ends of the wire up by running your finger down the half-bent wire.
- Hold the wire just a few inches below the curved end and crimp the end with a plier.
- Wrap the wire’s other end around a brass ring, making sure it is tight enough.
Do needle threader break easily?
Yes, needle threaders break easily. Needle threaders may be a very useful tool, but the problem with using the tool is that it gets broken easily. But the good news is, some types don’t break easily, just that these types are usually very expensive.
Why is my needle threader not working?
If your needle threader, especially the automatic type, is not working, it could be for any of the following reasons.
- The needle needs to be raised appropriately.
- The needle is damaged or bent.
- You need to use the correct needle size for the needle threader.
- The thread you are using is too thick for the needle threader.
- Ensure the needle thread hook is passing through the needle eye.
- The hook of the needle threader may be damaged.
Ensure the lever of the needle thread is moving smoothly before you start to sew.
