How To Thread A Needle : The Pinch Method
This tutorial explains a fast and simple method for threading
your needles. You must be able to see the eye of a needle in order to do this. If
you can’t see the eye, try a self-supporting magnifier.
Step 1: Place your thread between your thumb and first finger of your
non-dominant hand and pinch your fingers together. Make sure the end of
the thread is near your fingers. Hint: Use a dark thread if your skin tone is
light and vice versa.
Step 2: Pull the thread down between your two pinched fingers until you can
*barely* see the thread end. It should look like a small black dot between your
two pinched fingers. Do not leave a little tail, the thread must be buried
between your fingers with only the tip end of the thread showing.
Step 3: Position your needle over the thread, with your needle eye lying
horizontal just above your thread tip.
Step 4: Place your needle eye gently on top of the thread and begin pushing
the needle eye down over the thread. Be sure to keep pinching your fingers
together, as it holds the thread in place and allows the needle eye to slip over
it.
Step 5: Continue pushing your needle over the thread. Your needle should
disappear down between your two fingers - which you are still pinching together.
Step 6: Release the needle by gently rolling your two fingers upward and towards
each other without letting go of the thread. Pull the needle down and out from
between the bottom of your two pinched fingers. Your fingers should now be
grasping only the very end of the thread.
Step 7: Finish! Pull gently on the thread - you should have a threaded needle!
Summary:
Start: Place a thread between your thumb and
forefinger
Pinch: Pinch the thread and pull it down until
barely visible
Position: Position your needle eye horizontally
above the thread
Place: Place the needle directly over the thread
and push down
Push: Push all the way down between your pinched
fingers
Pull: Pull the needle out below your two pinched
fingers
Finish: Finish by pulling on the thread
Copyright 2004: Susan Mandel, All Rights Reserved
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