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required objects for the job

How to Thread a Needle One-Handed

Published February 23, 2011 by missa

You know those mistakes you make over and over and over? One of my biggies is with hand-sewing. I’ll get everything laid out, with my fingers carefully positioned to start, and then realize that I’ve forgotten to thread the gosh-darned needle. I’m not even kidding! This has to be the most basic thing in the universe, and I’m completely resistant to learning it. That’s why I know how to thread a needle with one hand….

required objects for the job
You will need: one hand, a needle, and some thread.
securing the needle
Stick the needle in to something, so that you can see clearly through the eye.
positioning the thread
Grasp the thread about 1/2" from the end, and position it behind the eye of the needle.
needle threaded
Push the thread through the eye, then let go of it. (The hardest thing here is letting go of the thread without pulling it back out of the needle....)
pulling thread through
Grasp the thread from the front, and pull more of it through the needle.

Now, I know what you’re thinking…. “Push the needle into your nice, padded work top. Duh! Because I totally have a nice, padded work top.” Right. This is what it normally looks like when I do it:

using clothing to hold needle
Push needle into a handy bit of clothing, ideally without stabbing yourself. Thank goodness for layering!
clear access to needle
This trick will only work if you have clear access to both sides of the eye of the needle, so pick your needle-sticking-spot accordingly.
needle threaded
Thread needle, as you do....

This is really a lot easier that you’d think. The hardest part really is letting go of the thread without pulling it back out of the needle. I’m actually doing this demo with my (slightly) off paw, because I can’t sort out how to use a camera left handed. (It’s goofy, I know. I can thread a needle or sew lefty, but I can’t hold a little box and push a button. I cannot explain…)

Published in Hand Sewing and Tips and Cheats

2 Comments

  1. Susan Helliwell
    Susan Helliwell September 3, 2019

    I like the way you explain things. You are real and that is humor. I love it Thankyou

    Reply
    • missa
      missa September 5, 2019

      Thank you, Susan! :)

      Reply

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