Reader Brenda Gomez asks, “I need a REALLY good needle threader. Or a better way to thread a needle. I hand embroider. I have broken 12 threaders in 2 months. The wires come out.”
I hear you, Brenda! A needle threader is a necessity for me. I’m not only at the bifocal stage of my life, but also I have a tremor that makes precise tasks difficult. I don’t like the little threaders that look like a shred of wire on a piece of tinfoil. They don’t hold up for me, either. So I looked around on line to see what other options might be available. Here are some of my finds. I can’t vouch for them from personal experience – I haven’t tried any of them. But they all look as if they have potential.
Wire needle threader in a tube
DMS needle threader 3 in 1
Clover embroidery needle threader
Black oval needle threader
Needle threader that works like a stapler
Timeless Touches needle threader for thick fibers
So what’s my tried-and-true personal needle-threading technique? I use dental-floss threaders. (This is another side-effect of aging: I have bridgework; and my dentist gave me some floss threaders to help me clean the area between bridge and gums. I immediately saw the crafting potential!) Floss threaders are little loops of a material that feels like fishing line – thin but strong. They eventually break apart under pressure; but because they’re so inexpensive (or free, if your dentist is generous), it’s no problem just to grab a new one. Check the toothpaste aisle of your discount store.
If you’ve tried one of the threaders I’ve listed and you have an opinion about it, or if you have a favorite threader that isn’t mentioned here, please add a comment to this post. Brenda – and I – would appreciate it.
On needle threaders–I used to work in a shop and we sold a flat metal threader with a small hole in one end (for finer threads) and a large hole in the other end for wook or perle cotton. We always called them “Myrtle’s” I’ve no idea why. They were fifty cents apiece (retail) and they last forever. They work great for everything but beading needles. I’d be happy to send Brenda one to try.
Thanks for your input, Rinda! And thank you for that sweet offer to help Brenda out. I let her know that I’d posted some info for her, so she should be checking in here. I know she’ll get in touch with you if she wants to take you up on getting a sample of the threader you like.
Thanks again!
Denise
Rhinda, email me, I would love to take you up on your offer. That sounds great. Ilook forward to trying it.
Rhinda, sorry I didn’t include my email. [email protected]