How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle: A Simple Tips & Tricks

Fact Checked By:Aithley Balder

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To Learn How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle, Follow Lessons

For beginners, threading a sewing machine needle could be a little tricky, especially for those having poor eyesight. But, if you have the will to learn for the love of sewing, you may develop tricks that help you in the long run.

Here are the things you need to be familiar with on how to thread a sewing machine needle.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle

how to put thread in needle sewing machine

Needle up

The needle needs to be in the up position when threading your machine. Push the needle up button on a computerized machine.

To run the needle to its upper position on a manual machine, use the handwheel on the right side of the machine or gently push the foot pedal.

If you have an automated needle threader, it would only thread the needle in the up position.

Machine off

If you’re a newbie, switch your sewing machine off when you’ve lifted the needle before attempting to thread the needle.

Yes, this shuts off the light in the workstation. However, allowing a kid, and your unintentional contact, to start the machine as you fiddle with the needle can only lead to trouble.

If you want more lighting, simply set up an auxiliary light to substitute the workstation light. Also, ensure that it is angled to avoid shadows. After you’ve mastered needle threading, you may choose to thread the machine on or off.

Presser put down

Give yourself the most significant room to work if you have bigger fingers or have trouble getting your fingertips near the needle’s eye.

It entails either lowering the presser foot upon threading the top thread or entirely removing it.

You may remove the presser foot from various machines by pressing a lever or breaking it off; if you’re having trouble understanding how your equipment works, see your user manual on how to thread a sewing machine needle.

Getting the thread ends ready

Everyone knows how difficult it is to get a frayed thread through the tiny eye of a needle if you are an actual sewer

Individual threads appear to never pass through at the same time. However, the secret to good needle threading is to make the thread as smooth, strong, and uniform as possible to avoid fibers snagging in the needle’s eye.

Cutting off frayed thread ends

To begin, use sharp sewing scissors to snip any frayed ends. Household scissors that are dull and dulled may aggravate the situation. Cutting at an angle is also recommended.

Stabilizing the Thread

Others just lick the end of the thread. Yes, it’s disgusting, but it works most of the time. You may also use water. Squish the thread ends between your fingers to compress all of the fibers.

Several ways of threading a sewing machine needle

how do you thread a sewing machine needle

You can always take the needle from the machine, thread it, and then reinstall it in the needle clamp if you can’t thread with it on the machine.

Threading the needle by hand

Hand-threading your sewing machine needle is the first option. It may be easier than it sounds based on your technique, the width of the needle’s eye, your sight, and the size and kind of thread.

To try this approach, take the thread using your pointer and thumb approximately 1/4′′-1/2′′ from the end. After that, gently push the thread into the needle’s eye.

Threading with a needle threading tool

At least ten needle threader gadgets are available to assist you in threading a sewing machine needle.

Needle threaders that approach the eye of the needle from the rear can get a little crowded; that’s why most prefer to avoid them while hand-sewing and instead use threaders that come from the front.

Dritz needle threader

Slip the thread through the threader’s V-shaped channel. Then, a little above the eye, insert the threader on the sewing machine needle and glide it down while softly compressing the blue plunger part.

When you reach the needle’s eye, the plunger will descend even further, and a small metal piece will keep poking the thread through.

Withdraw the plunger and carefully remove the needle threader at this stage. Pull the thread loop and through the needle’s eye with the tiny hooks on the top of the white portion.

Silver wire loop

Hold the circular bottom of the threader in your hand to thread a sewing machine needle with this needle threader. From back to front, insert the wire loop into the needle’s eye.

The loop located on the front of the needle will be revealed as a result of this.

Ensure it pops back open to its original size. Put the thread’s tip through the visible wire loop while keeping the thread from your other hand. 

Pull a few lengths of thread through, then fold the tip of the thread back on its own to create a loop.

Take the wire loop out from the needle’s eye slowly. Continue pulling until the thread’s end is pulled through. Remove the needle threader and flatten the thread to reduce any twists.

Automatic needle threader

It is a simple way to thread a sewing needle with an automated needle threader if you have a sewing machine. In theory, at least.

To spin the needle threader through the needle’s eye, first grip and pull down the tiny lever on the machine’s left side.

When you run your thread down the inside of the needle threader, it will snag on a bit of hook on the inside. When you spin the needle threader out of the eye, the hook will draw the thread with it back to its usual position.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

When threading the needle on the sewing machine, should the machine be turned off?

Make sure that the machine is turned off before you attempt to thread the needle. It is possible for you to get an injury if you walk on the foot controller by mistake and then the machine begins to stitch. Raise the presser foot by pulling up on the lever located under the presser foot. Turning the handwheel toward yourself will move the needle to its maximum possible position.

Why is it so difficult to thread a needle?

Although this thread is so thin and floppy, passing it through in a straight line may be rather challenging. The thread will surely deflect and fray if you make a mistake, which will need you to put it in your mouth in order to rejoin the fibers before attempting the task again.

How can you know which direction a thread will go?

Right-handed threads move in a clockwise direction, whereas left-handed threads move in the other direction, counterclockwise. Screws with varying handedness are more ergonomic for humans because it allows them to use their dominant hand more effectively. The origin of the handedness of a thread may be traced back to human physiology.

Conclusion

I hope these tips and techniques have helped you master threading your sewing machine needle; whether you’re threading by hand, using a needle threading assistance, or utilizing a sewing machine automated needle threader, they will all help you on how to thread a sewing machine needle.

How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle

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Aithley Balder

Hello there, my name is Aithley Balder from Texas. I am a cookware, sewing, toilet, technology enthusiast and I have been sharing my passion with my friends and likeminded folks for close to 4 years now. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via the contact page.