We’ve all been there before: you think you’ve gotten the thread through the needle but it ends up getting caught! Embroidery thread can be challenging, especially stranded embroidery thread, because it is made up of 6 individual strands of thread. This makes it easier for single or multiple strands to get caught in the process of threading your needle. Here’s how to thread an embroidery needle with embroidery floss in a way that will prevent a snag from happening!
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General Tips
- Select a needle that is the correct size for the size and amount of strands of thread you are using.
- Trim the end so that there aren’t any frayed threads.
- Moisten the end of the thread before threading it through the eye.
- Selecting high quality embroidery needles will make it easier to thread. Some needles are cheaply made and may have imperfections in the eye.
How to Thread An Embroidery Needle
- The first thing you’ll want to do is trim the end so you have clean cut strands. In the first picture, each strand is somewhat frayed which makes it easy for the thread to get snagged.
- Once you’ve trimmed the end of the thread, moisten it with your mouth, water or thread conditioner.
- Then, pinch the thread in between my fingers so it becomes flat. This makes it easier to thread through the eye of the needle.
- While you are pinching it in between your thumb and forefinger, place the thread through the eye of the needle. When you can visibly see that all of the strands of thread are through the eye, pull the thread through.
Using A Needle Threader
Another option to thread a needle that is easier especially if you have a hard time seeing the thread and the eye of the needle is using a needle threader. One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need to choose a needle that has an eye large enough to allow for the thread to be doubled up in order to pass it through with a needle threader.
- Once you’ve selected the correct size needle, place the wire end of the needle threader through the eye of the needle.
- Then place the thread through the wire loop of the threader.
- Pull the threader and the thread through the needle.
- Hold onto the tail of thread that you just pulled through and allow the needle threader to drop off the other end of the thread.
I hope you enjoyed these tips! If you’d like to learn even more about basic embroidery techniques, check out my beginner’s guide to embroidery.