How do you thread your needle?

[LadyS]

I'm a thread licker too, then I flatten the thread ends, hold it between my thumb and finger and then just slip it in the eye.
If I am using a beading needle, I use a needle threader.

Exactly what I do.

[becky41030]

With my elderly eyes, I rely on several different threaders: the kind with the wire, the flat metal ones, and my new favorite from Clover.

http://www.clover-usa.com/product/0/861 ... y_Threader" target="_blank" target="_blank

It's kind of expensive but I love it. And here's a tip from a very experienced cross stitcher friend: cut the end of your thread on a diagonal and you'll find it's easier to put in the needle than if you cut it straight across.

I also use the lick method, the fold over the end of the needle method, and will shortly try the strip of paper method. I just love learning about all this stuff!

[becky41030]

Along the same line, can someone explain the following to me? It's from Embroidery Techniques and Patterns by Marie-Noelle Bayard. (I wonder if part of the problem is that the publisher had to translate the book from French to English.)

"To slip the thread easily through the eye of the needle, proceed in the following manner: fold the thread in half, position it at the eye of the needle, and use the fold of the thread to push it through the eye."

I kinda get that part, but am not sure why you would necessarily fold it in half. And what if you want to work with only one strand of floss, as in backstitching? The next paragraph is what really puzzled me.

"You will prevent the abrasion of the thread in the eye of the needle by sticking the needle in the strand itself about 2 inches from its end. Pass the thread just through the eye, and the needle is then attached to the thread. This helpful hint allows you to use short lengths of thread without their coming unstrung, and the thread will not deteriorate except where it is attached. Moreover, you will save thread, because it will remain intact up to the point where it meets the eye."

Do you think this is a way of knotting or tying the thread onto the needle?

[MaggieM1750]

Becky.. I do it that way

For the first part.. why to fold your thread in half and push that through.
I do it that way because a loop pushed through doesn't have any fuzzy bits like a used thread would. A fresh cut.. wouldn't have problems, but you know how your thread gets after you've used it a bit. I don't fold thread in half.. rather, I just grab a bit at the end, make a tight loop then push that through, then unloop and stitch with a single thread- for backstitching or whatever. If I am starting a thread, I make a really big loop so that I can do a loop start. (really.. it sounds more complicated then it is, and very weird to explain)

The second part.. sounds like what I call loop tyeing. I do it with metallic threads to try and keep them under control and not fray. I don't do it with regular floss- only blending filament or metallics. I suppose rayon floss too- but I've never used it

[wwdiva]

I am thread licker but did learn a little tip recently to make it easier.
I was struggling to thread when stitching at work, a colleague saw me lick the thread then try to put through the eye of the needle. She said "try licking the needle too". Hot darn. It works like a dream.
Cheers

[meerkat]

Definitely no thread licking here. I was thoroughly put off that method as a child,helping a school friend thread her needle...I think she must have chewed the thread first and it smelled awful!!!!!I squeeze the thread and put it into the eye of the needle or use a needle threader.

[kinley626]

I'm a thread licker too, then I flatten the thread ends, hold it between my thumb and finger and then just slip it in the eye.
If I am using a beading needle, I use a needle threader.

This is exactly what I do.

[Allyn]

I don't lick. Ages ago I was keen on conservation stitching and framing so no saliva contacts my threads. I use a 'stripper' to de-fuzz and dampen the thread and then flatten the ends between my forefinger and thumb. I use #28 John James needles which have a pretty large eye and I stab it through. The #28 needles are usually small enough to bead with, but if I have to use a beading needle, I use a needle-threader.

(The Stripper is a thimble-like gadget with a piece of the soft velcro attached to it. It helps you separate and dampen your threads before you begin stitching. You dampen the soft velcro with water, and run your floss over the velcro. If you use "The Stripper", you'll also find out if a thread is "leaking". If your threads have a tendency to bleed, it will be apparent on the velcro.)

[Mystonique]

I use the Loran threader - I have one attached to every pair of scissors I own I think.

[KarinvdB]

Well I used to lick, also did the squeezing thing (I had to really look at what I'm doing before I realised what Offe was describing is something I do) but lately started to use threaders, one of those automatic ones for starting and a standard one for thread already attached, but now I just started a HAED on 27ct with 28 piecemaker needles and the automatic threader doesn't work and the standard one is really hard to get through too.

So because I started using a tiny sponge (it's actually meant for an ink blending tool) to wet the thread because it was curling and knotting I also use that to wet the end to get it through. Works great!

[Oriettait]

So because I started using a tiny sponge (it's actually meant for an ink blending tool) to wet the thread because it was curling and knotting I also use that to wet the end to get it through. Works great!

Another thread licker here, but after I read this and the other answer about the saliva effect on threads conservation I might become a sponge threader!!

[Fizzbw]

I'm a licker and I also use the same type of needle threader as Skitzzzz.

If all you lick is the very end of the thead, which then gets cut off, how is the saliva going to get anywhere else to cause trouble? Unless you lick the whole thread!

Niki x

[bookknurd]

Currently a thread licker, but that may change as I get more stitching experience under my belt.

Edit: Bought a needle threader yesterday, but am having trouble remembering to use it.