Threading Your Needle....A Few Handy Hints!

At Hope & Gloria Sewing Clubs we are often asked by parents who are keen to support their children in their new hobby, how they can help them to learn to sew at home.

By far and away, one of the best ways to get ahead with sewing at a young age is to learn to thread a needle independently. Sewing Club Leaders are, of course, always on hand to help club members who are struggling, but the best way to get the most from a sewing club session is for children to be able to thread their needles quickly and get on with the fun part - the sewing!

Threading a needle can be frustrating when you are first learning to sew. It's an old adage but practice really does make perfect and if parents can spend some time helping children to perfect their needle threading at home, this will really give them a head start when it comes to getting on with sewing at home or when making our lovely projects at their sewing club.

I thought I'd put together a list of tips and hints on how to thread a needle....

1. Always sit down to thread your needle - when you are starting out with your sewing adventures, sitting down will stop any wobbles making it easier to concentrate.

2. Make sure the eye of your needle is large enough for the thread you are using!

3. Cut your thread on an angle - 45 degrees is good. In this way you are making the end of the thread slanted and easier to get through the eye of the needle.

4. Rest your hands on a table while you are threading it - again, less wobbles so easier to get the thread through the eye of the needle.

5. The eye of the needle will be different on each side. If it's not working for you from one side, give your needle and turn and try from the other.

6. If your thread is fraying try one of the following:

• Cut the thread again a bit further along so that you have a straight edge to work with
• Lick the end of your thumb and forefinger and press the end of the thread flat.
• Moisten the very end of the thread (just a little),  by placing it between your lips. (This technique is very popular in our sewing clubs but don't make the thread too soggy, or it will become tricky to thread!)

7. If it just isn't working for you using one end of the thread, turn the thread upside down and try from the other. All thread is twisted, so it will be at a different stage in the twist at the opposite end of the thread and may make it easier to push through the eye of the needle.

I hope these tips help and good luck with your practising!