Embroidery

I used to be great at threading needles, but why have the eyes become so small and narrow? I must need new specs. My sitting down hobby is crochet.

Needle threaders help me but they tend to be flimsy but do not cost too much. I am thinking of upgrading to one of these www.johnlewis.com/prym-needle-fairy-automatic-needle-threader/p3272188

Oh I love doing embroidery. I even have an O level!

Try this? I only saw it recently and haven't tried it out yet myself. You've nothing to lose, though!

metro.co.uk/2018/04/06/simple-needle-threading-trick-will-change-life-7445524/

I find holding the thread in a pair of serger tweezers (the kind with a curved/angled tip) really helps - also make sure you hold the needle in front of something white. When I'm threading my sewing machine I always slip a small piece of white paper or card just behind the needle (my auto threader broke )
Moocow I bought a needle threader gadget from Hobbycraft a couple of years ago and couldn't get it work for me at all. Not sure if it was the same as the Pram one though.

Oh and I've just tried that threading trick SueDonim, but couldn't get it work. Guess I'm just unlucky with tricks and gadgets, haha!

Aw, shame! I think the article gives some tips for if it doesn't work first time. I suspect it might not work so well with polyester thread, as they're so slippery.

Ah yes you could be right about polyester thread. I’m going to try again tomorrow with some cotton thread and report back ?

Thanks Bathsheba looks like I'll be sticking to my flimsy needle threader and just replacing it when it's had enough use. Will be watching to see if anyone manages the trick suedonim has linked.

Yay Suedomin that really works on longer threads so thanks. Still struggling with a shorter one though when I already am using the thread. One thing at a time............

Ooh, good, Izabella! I tried it with knitting yarn last night and it worked.

Threading those tiny ends is very anger-making, I agree. Grrr!

Sure I'm teaching GM to suck eggs, but I find easiest is to wrap end of thread around needle to thread a loop through (i.e. double thickness: easier to see and no problem with threading ends).

I find that works with wool humpty, but not with sewing thread and a small-eyed needle - the double thickness is simply too thick to go through a very tiny eye.
And sorry to report back that even with cotton thread I couldn't get that trick to work SueD . I'm extremely of those who can do it!

Bathsheba, I agree - I always try to sew thread with a needle with a longer eye! Want to try that threading trick but suspect it won't work for me...

Oh, that's funny, Bathsheba - I find doubling the thread works for sewing threads but not so much for wools! How weird.

I can't believe I'm debating on the Internet about threading a needle.

I can't believe I'm debating on the Internet about threading a needle.

Isn't it more fun than politics, though, which always ends in tears

That is so true humpty

Agreed, Humpty! Knitting and fluffy kittens all the way.

Hello, I am new to embroidery and looking to join a group that welcomes beginners. Are there any in/around Glasgow?

I can't help with your query Tosca but I am delighted to say I start an embroidery class on Saturday

and learned to pass thread over a beeswax block making it easier to pass through the needle eye. It works!!!!

I have got needles that are called 'self-threading' .
They have a split at the top of the eye....you just pull the thread downwards through the (almost invisible) split.
Works really well. I bought the pack of assorted sizes from my local wool/craft shop.

Hi tosca60. If you look on Embroiderers Guild website it will give you list of groups, also Stitch and Embroidery magazine have info re exhibitions etc.