How to Thread a Needle

Basic sewing is an important skill to learn. Most people should learn how to sew on a button or repair small tears. Knowing how to thread a needle is the first step to any hand sewing project, regardless of scale. This is a vital skill that everyone should know how to do safely.

When threading a needle, take care to avoid injury via its sharp point or from the sewing scissors. Threading a needle for the first time should not take longer than 5 minutes, and is a task that becomes faster with practice.

Supplies

1. A sewing needle
2. Your thread of choice
3. Sewing scissors (if you do not have sewing scissors, a sharper pair of regular ones will work)

Step 1:

Cut a piece of thread thread to your desired length.

Step 2:

Wet one end of the thread to prevent fraying. You can do this with water, as I have here, or if you are feeling brave, with spit.

Step 3:

Take your sewing needle and line the hole, or "eye," at the top of it with the wet end of the thread.

Step 4:

Carefully guide the wet end of the thread through the eye.

Step 5:

Once through the eye, pull the thread until the needle is positioned on it near the middle of the length of thread.

Step 6:

Take the ends of the thread and tie them into a knot.

Step 7:

You are now able to use the threaded needle to safely start your sewing project.