How to get thread in the needle hole on a sewing machine ?

[cometazzi]

Easy - set the wayback machine to when you were 20 and your eyes were still sharp, thread it, and come back to the present.

I like the cut of your jib. I was going to suggest something similar.

 

[cometazzi]

View attachment 1409411

I should probably know better, but I've seen those devices before, and always wondered what they were.

 

[archetype]

Trying to help my mum, but that is not easy. The hole is about half a millimeter large, and following tutorials on youtube, the machine has some gizmo on it that should make it easy. Of course it doesn't work, so it is useless. Managed one with that
View attachment 1409411

Anyone with a piece of advice ?

It works and is the simplest low-tech tool for the job. Use a magnifying glass if needed.

 

[trapdoor2]

In my 20s, I was a knitting machine mechanic for Munsingwear. I routinely threaded thousands of needles every night. Each machine had three, 16ft long bars of needles at ~30per inch (I can't remember exactly). We used to have threading races...
This is a modern one...the ones I worked on in the 70s were from the 1920s...very similar but a lot slower!


Now, I'd need a guide dog just to find the machine...

 

[prairietelecaster]

I've made a needle threader with a super fine looped strand of wire I have, the gauge # escapes me at the moment. Perhaps a strand of a fine gauge loose core wire might work too.
Edit: the wire I have is .007 stainless steel suture wire which I use as the heat cutting wire on a homemade styrofoam cutter.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Be sure to turn the sewing machine off first…it’s easier when the needle’s not moving.

 

[kuch]

I don't know anything about sewing machines.... but, last year the wife got a machine that THREADS ITSELF with the push of a button.....
While she was picking out her machine, I found one of these magnifying lamps that have a gooseneck and works as a desk lamp or has an extension to use as a floor lamp. Great for my aging eyes....

 

[johnny k]

It works and is the simplest low-tech tool for the job. Use a magnifying glass if needed.

The magnifying glass is definitely needed.

 

[johnny k]

@johnny k

Make certain you have the needle installed correctly. The grooved side of the needle should be facing you when it's installed and you're ready to sew.

If it's backwards, it will be difficult to thread.

The you can only tighten the needle if it is properly inserted in the hole. Otherwise, it won't get in the hole. This i got correct. What i don't get is


A time saver ? maybe not what i would call that. More like a push you over the edge of sanity device.

 

[johnny k]

If you do any soldering, you might have a setup with a set of helping hands and a magnifying glass with a light. I use one for soldering up wires to pot or switch lugs, but I imagine it'd work just as well with a sewing needle. You can spend a hunk of change for a really nice one, but a cheap one like this ought to get the job done too.

https://www.harborfreight.com/jumbo-helping-hands-with-led-lights-65779.html?gStoreCode=39&gQT=0

Hmmm.... this should make things easier in the winter, when the natural light is low.

 

[johnny k]

You just stick that through the needle hole and put the thread in it's loop, then pull the thread through right?

That's right. That's the alien technology. See video above.

 

[Peegoo]

The you can only tighten the needle if it is properly inserted in the hole. Otherwise, it won't get in the hole. This i got correct. What i don't get is


A time saver ? maybe not what i would call that. More like a push you over the edge of sanity device.

I have a Singer Industrial that has that feature. It works great.

 

[johnny k]

I have a Singer Industrial that has that feature. It works great.

Well, i don't know, eithe mine is not setup correctly, or i didn't quite get how to do it. That is some precision thingie, i am not used to precision.

There are several people on YT videos who complain about not being able to do it either. Feels good not to be left alone.

 

[Peegoo]

Well, i don't know, eithe mine is not setup correctly, or i didn't quite get how to do it. That is some precision thingie, i am not used to precision.

There are several people on YT videos who complain about not being able to do it either. Feels good not to be left alone.

I have learned that some off-brand needles have the eye in the wrong location and the little hook does not properly line up.

 

[trev333]

My mum would wet the end of the thread in her mouth twist the end a bit to get a fine point and poke it through the small hole.... seemed easy for her.... practice, I guess..

 

[johnny k]

I have learned that some off-brand needles have the eye in the wrong location and the little hook does not properly line up.

Well it is a singer sewing machine, and singer needle. So i might be doing something wrong, or the brand has gone downhill. Like most brands actually.

 

[telemnemonics]

Did you say the magic words?

Hold my beer

 

[johnny k]

I think I got the hang of it watching 3 minuets of this clip.



any good?

Yeah. I quit trying with the automatic device of the sewing machine, and go for the old school version, all manual, done in about 2 minutes, with natural light and a bit of squinting. Thanks.

 

[Harmonic]

You need to get a running start, just like putting strings in a Stratocaster.

 

[johnny k]

You need to get a running start, just like putting strings in a Stratocaster.

You change strings on Stratocasters ? I thought when the strings were rusty, you just threw away the guitar and get a new one !