How to Use a Needle Threader on a Sewing Machine
Needle threaders built into sewing machines have a love/hate relationship with people. We love them when they work and hate them when they don’t. However, owing to the introduction of sewing equipment, the sewing life does not have to be all that awful.
Threading a needle may be a pain in the neck for both novice and experienced sewers. A needle threader may save you time and effort in this case. Using a needle threader, sewers may thread the eye of a sewing needle. Devices like this one are simple and inexpensive, making them ideal for novices as well as experienced users.
The sewing departments of most craft shops have needle threaders, which are often packaged with a set of sewing needles. I’m going to show you how to utilize a needle threader in this post if you’ve been putting it at the bottom of your sewing box.
Table of Contents
What Is the Function of a Needle Threader?
With a needle threader, you can thread a needle’s eye without the use of a magnifying lens. As a result, your stitching woes will be lessened.
A diamond-shaped wire and a coin-shaped metal piece make up the needle threader, a compact, shining tool. The needle will be inserted into the metal component that protrudes from your hand.
Those with plastic heads are a little more durable and come in a variety of colors. They all accomplish the same goal, which is getting the thread through the eye of the needle. A needle threader is often included when purchasing needles. Following these basic guidelines will make threading a needle a snap.
According to the needle and its intended stitching use, needles come in a variety of diameters for their eye. A needle threader may be on your shopping list, but are you sure? It is safe to say that yes! To thread a needle with a very small eye, you’ll need to learn how to use a needle threader!
How To Use A Needle Threader
With a needle threader, you’ll never go back to hand stitching the same way you did before. You may be squinting at the needle’s eye despite your efforts to relax your eye muscles. Take a look at the sophisticated gadget that arrived with your most recent batch of needles.
A needle threader, of course! Despite its little size and outlandish look, this trick works wonders for threading a needle you’ve been having difficulties with!
Wire Insertion
Make a diamond-shaped wire loop with the needle threader and thread it through the needle’s eye. Because of its diamond shape and the flexible wire from which it is built, it should be able to break through.
Wires are threaded
Maintain control of the needle threader and the needle with one hand. It’s a bit tricky at first, but with a little experience, you’ll be able to maintain control.
Thread your sewing machine thread through the wire loop on the needle threader’s handle. Pull the thread through the wire threader until two tails are seen hanging from the threader.
Pull
Thread the threader wire through the needle’s eye in the other direction. As the wire is squashed back down, the threads will follow the diamond-shaped wire through to the other side and out the other end.
Tie the Knot at the End
Pick up one of the threads and drag it through the needle’s eye until it is completely through. You aim to wind up with just one thread flowing through the eye at the conclusion of the procedure.
Pulling the threads together will result in a consistent length of thread. If you want to sew with a double sewing thread, tie a knot at the bottom of the piece.
One of the strands should be pulled higher than the other, and the longer one should be knotted to form a single thread.
If you’re not sure whether to use a double or single thread, make a decision depending on the strength and thickness of the cotton you’re working with. If the thread is thin, it should be doubled. If the thread is thicker, such as embroidery thread, it should be threaded and knotted as a single continuous strand.
Tips and Tricks for Needle Threading
• To make it easier to see the needle’s eye, place a piece of white paper behind it.
• When threading by hand into the eye, use a pair of sharp scissors to clip the clean end. Make a “pointed” thread tip by cutting the thread at an angle. As a result, it should be less difficult to get past the pupil.
• The needle should be pointed in the right direction at all times. On the side of the eye of most sewing needles, there’s a “groove” that you should thread the needle from.
• Having difficulties seeing the needle’s eye? Try using a magnification or a magnifying light.
Reasons Why an Automated Needle Threader Fails to Work
You are not using the proper needle size
Certain fabrics need the use of certain needles, which are detailed below. It is preferable to use a ballpoint needle for knitting cloth rather than a sharp needle for this purpose since it will not grab the fabric and cause it to run.
Your automated needle threader, on the other hand, isn’t intended to thread all of the many sorts of needles. It works well with standard needles ranging from size 11 to size 16. Your automated needle threader will not function properly when using a smaller needle or a twin needle.
Your sewing needle is not in the highest possible position while you are sewing
Your needle must be at the highest position possible in order for your automated needle threader to function properly. In addition, your presser foot must be positioned such that it is not in the way.
In order to get your needle to reach its highest position, you must turn your handwheel in the direction of your body. Some sewing machines feature a button that will automatically raise the needle for you when you press the button down.
Your needle has been damaged, bent, or has become dull
With repeated use, stitching machine needles may get broken or bent, particularly when sewing through thick fabrics. During the manufacturing process, natural flaws or burs in sewing machine needles may arise.
It is possible that you may come across a needle that is bent or damaged before inserting it into your machine. It doesn’t happen very frequently, but it does occur from time to time.
If your needle is damaged, the hook on your automated needle threader will not line up properly with the needle. Obtain a fresh needle and replace the old one. Replacement sewing machine needles should be kept on hand at all times for emergency situations.
Your sewing machine’s threading is not properly threaded
A common error made by folks who have been sewing for a long time is incorrectly threading their sewing machine. In the event that your automated needle threader is not functioning properly, the first thing you should do is examine this.
On occasion, your thread will not pass through the guide above your needle in the manner that you want. Therefore, the hook on your automated needle threader will be unable to catch it.
Your thread is very thick
The little hook on your automated needle threader is not capable of grabbing some kinds of thread. If you’re working with decorative thread, metallic thread, or tiny nylon thread, you’ll have to thread the needle’s eye manually to avoid damaging the thread. Apart from that, you will be unable to use your automated needle threader if the thread has a thickness more than 130/120.
The thread hook on your sewing machine is dull or bent
The little hook on the end of your automated needle threader, which holds your thread and pushes it through the eye of your needle, might get bent. It’s possible that you’ll have to line it up with your fingernail to get it to go where it’s supposed to go. The hook will ultimately need to be replaced if it gets dull, although this will take a significant amount of time.
Your needle has not been properly inserted
As you sew, a small screw holds your needle in place with each stitch. With use, the screw may get looser, allowing your needle to slide out a bit more easily. Bumping the screw might also help to loosen it up a little.
If your needle is not completely placed into the needle threader, it will not line up with the automated needle threader. First, make sure the needle on your sewing machine is completely extended, then tighten the screw on your sewing machine to the maximum amount of torque.
Also, be certain that the needle in your sewing machine is not inserted backward. The top shank of your needle is rounded on one side and flat on the other.
When you install it, be sure that the flat side of the bobbin faces the rear of the machine. If you wrongly insert your needle, it may shatter when it comes into contact with the bobbin case or throat plate.
The spring on your automatic needle threader is missing or has broken
A delicate spring is used in your automatic needle threader, and it is easily broken. If you pull down on your threader and it does not rise back up on its own, you have a damaged or missing spring on your threader.
It is possible to change your automatic needle threader spring yourself, or you may hire an expert to do it for you. It is a relatively inexpensive component.
Tips When Using A Needle Threader
You’ll never be able to use a bent needle threader again. It will need to be fixed or replaced before you can begin to use it properly.
Once, go back and forth with the needle
Make sure the needle is in the highest position before using the needle threader. On a computerized good intermediate sewing machine, pushing the needle up and needle down buttons twice is all it takes.
Do not stop the machine before it reaches the highest position of the needle. Mechanical devices have a handwheel that may be turned until the needle reaches the conclusion of its cycle.
The Sequence of Events Is Important
It is imperative that, BEFORE the needle threader is used, the little metal hook has passed through the needle’s eye completely. If the thread is inserted into the needle threader before the hook has gone through the eye, it will usually not be caught on the hook. In order to thread a needle correctly, the steps must be followed in the proper sequence.
Take a Breath
One of the most common problems for novice users is that the thread won’t come out of their hand when they hang on to the end of it. If the thread is gripped too tightly, the needle threader will be unable to draw it through the needle eye. Think about using a little touch. Putting up a little resistance is good, but holding on for dear life is bad.
Step Back From The Presser Foot
For two reasons, the presser foot may be lowered. To begin with, the needle threader will be easier to use with more area for your fingers.
Pressing the foot down activates the top tension, which prevents the thread from spooling out of control. While threading a needle, the added resistance supplied by the tension will help keep the thread steady.
In order to raise the thread, lift it up (Not Back)
Lift the thread instead of pushing it toward the machine’s back. To avoid snagging, the needle threader’s hook must be positioned at an up angle to the needle’s eye.
Be Aware of Your Needle’s Length
A needle threader may be used to determine whether a needle was properly inserted into the shaft when it was changed recently. To get the needle threader to align with the needle, loosen the needle screw and raise the needle a few millimeters above the needle eye.
A back-up strategy
Having a needle threader on hand as a backup is a great idea. Use it when your onboard needle threader breaks down or when you have a sewing machine without a built-in needle threader, a serger, or both. Once you’ve been dependent on a needle threader, it’s tough to go back to the old-fashioned method of threading the needle.
Hand-Threading Needles
Lick the end that is aimed towards the animal’s eye. In fact, soaking your floss might cause your needle eyes to rust, which will cause the floss to shred and knot more. Thread Magic or beeswax are good options for lubricating the floss.
When working with a needle, fold the floss in half before inserting it into the eye or shaft of the needle. If you’re beginning with a loop, combine the ends of your floss before threading. Keep the tail short and draw through the eye if this isn’t feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is a needle threader?
A needle threader is a hand sewing tool that is used to assist in threading a needle by pulling the thread into the eye of the needle.
What is the function of a needle threader?
A device known as a needle threader is a tool that is used to assist in passing thread through the eye of a needle. There are many different sorts, but one typical variety consists of a short length of thin wire that is twisted into a diamond shape, and a piece of tinplate or plastic is used to hold one corner of the diamond.
Is a needle threader considered a cutting instrument?
Utilizing a Needle Threader that also includes a thread cutter makes it possible to thread and cut with just one handy equipment. Used for both threading a manual or machine needle as well as cutting the thread in a secure and efficient manner. If you want a sewing tool that is both fast and easy, look for one that has a cutter on it.
What is meant by the term “automatic threader”?
This device, which is simply a lever, will relieve you of the responsibility of manually guiding the thread through the eye of the sewing needle by doing the task for you.
Conclusion
It is simpler to thread even the tiniest needle-eyes when you know how to use a needle threader. Your project will benefit greatly from this sewing needle threader, which saves a lot of time.
