A needle threader makes threading by hand much faster and more reliable
A needle threader is a small metal tool with a wire loop at one end and a handle at the other. You push the loop through the eye of the needle, pull your thread through the loop, then pull the threader back out—and the thread comes with it, already through the needle. It takes about three seconds once you know the motion, and it works on needles so small or eyes so tight that threading by hand would take minutes or leave you frustrated.
The tool costs between $1 and $5, fits in any sewing kit, and solves the most common complaint people have about hand sewing. If you sew at all—repairs, embroidery, quilting by hand—a needle threader will save you time and eyestrain.
Key Takeaways
- Insert the wire loop of the threader through the needle's eye, not the other way around.
- Pull your thread through the loop while the loop is still inside the needle, then withdraw the threader to pull the thread through.
- If the loop bends or the thread won't feed through, the loop may be too thick for that needle's eye—try a finer threader or a larger needle.
- Needle threaders work best on needles sized 5 through 12; very large or very small needles may need a different approach.
- Keep your threader in your sewing kit and replace it if the loop becomes bent or damaged, since a bent loop will not slide through needle eyes smoothly.
The correct way to hold and insert the threader
Hold the needle steady in one hand—between your thumb and forefinger, or resting on a flat surface in front of you. Hold the threader in your other hand by its handle, with the wire loop pointing forward. The loop should be relaxed and round, not bent or pinched.
Push the loop straight through the eye of the needle. You are aiming for the center of the eye. The loop is thinner than thread, so it will fit through even when thread alone would be difficult. Push until the loop is all the way through and sticking out the back of the needle by about half an inch.
Feeding the thread through the loop
Once the loop is through the needle, hold the needle still. Take your thread—a single strand, or however many strands your project calls for—and push it through the wire loop. The thread does not need to go far; just enough that the loop has caught it. You will see the thread sitting inside the loop.
Now pull the threader handle toward you, drawing the loop back out through the needle's eye. As the loop comes out, it pulls the thread with it. The thread will slide through the eye of the needle and emerge on the other side. When the loop is completely out, the thread will be threaded through the needle, ready to knot and use.
What to do if the loop won't go through the needle
If the wire loop is too thick to fit through the needle's eye, you have a mismatch between the needle size and the threader. Very fine needles (size 10 or smaller) have eyes so small that some standard threaders cannot fit through. If this happens, try a fine needle threader, which has a thinner wire loop designed for small eyes.
If you do not have a fine threader on hand, switch to a larger needle if your project allows it. A size 8 or 9 needle will accept most standard threaders. If the loop is bent or kinked, straighten it gently or replace the threader—a bent loop will catch on the needle's edges and refuse to slide through smoothly.
Preventing the thread from slipping out of the loop
Sometimes the thread will slip back out of the loop before you pull the threader all the way through. This usually happens if you did not push the thread far enough into the loop, or if the thread is very slippery (like silk or rayon). To prevent it, push the thread deeper into the loop—aim for the middle of the loop, not just the edge.
If you are using a very slippery thread, pinch the thread gently between your fingers where it enters the loop. This keeps tension on the thread and prevents it from sliding backward as you withdraw the threader. Once the loop is halfway out of the needle, the thread will be caught and will not slip anymore.
Needle threaders for different needle sizes and thread types
Standard needle threaders work well on needles sized 5 through 12, which covers most hand sewing—repairs, embroidery on medium fabric, and general mending. If you sew with very fine needles (size 13 or higher), you will need a fine needle threader with a narrower loop. If you work with very large needles (size 1 or 2), a standard threader may be too small, and you may find it easier to thread by hand or use a loop threader designed for larger eyes.
The type of thread does not usually matter. Needle threaders work on cotton, polyester, silk, and wool thread. Thick threads (like embroidery floss or yarn) may not fit through the loop, but single-strand thread of any fiber will thread easily. If you are using multiple strands of thread together, bundle them loosely and push them through the loop as a group.
Caring for your needle threader so it lasts
A needle threader is durable if you treat it gently. Store it in your sewing kit where it will not get bent—a small box or a dedicated sewing pouch works well. If the wire loop becomes bent or dented, try to straighten it gently with your fingers. If it is badly kinked or the wire has cracked, replace the threader rather than forcing it through needle eyes, which can break the wire entirely.
Rinse the threader with water if thread lint builds up on the loop, then dry it. Do not soak it or expose it to heat. A well-cared-for needle threader will last for years and will pay for itself in time saved on your very first project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a needle threader on a sewing machine needle?
No. Sewing machine needles have a different eye shape and are designed to be threaded by the machine's tension system. A needle threader is only for hand sewing needles. Using one on a machine needle can damage the needle or the threader.
What if I cannot get the loop through the needle eye at all?
The loop is too thick for that needle. Switch to a finer needle threader, or use a larger hand sewing needle if your project allows it. You can also thread by hand using the traditional method of wetting the thread end and pushing it through.
Do I need to knot the thread after threading it?
Yes. The needle threader only gets the thread through the eye; it does not find it. Tie a knot at the end of the thread before you start sewing, just as you would if you had threaded the needle by hand.
Can I use a needle threader with embroidery floss?
It depends on the thickness. Single strands of embroidery floss will thread easily. If you are using multiple strands bundled together, they may be too thick for the loop. Separate them and thread one or two strands at a time, or thread by hand.