Guide: How To Thread An Embroidery Needle Step-by-Step

How do you thread an embroidery needle? Threading an embroidery needle is a simple but important step in hand embroidery. It is how you get your thread ready to stitch onto fabric. This guide will show you easy ways to put your embroidery thread through the tiny hole in the needle. We will cover different threading techniques, including using a needle threader, and offer tips for managing multiple strands and small needle eyes.

How To Thread An Embroidery Needle
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Getting Your Tools Ready

Before you start, gather the things you need. Having everything nearby makes threading easier.

Your needle: Choose one right for your fabric and thread. Embroidery needles often have a slightly bigger eye than sewing needles.
Your embroidery thread: This could be embroidery floss or another type of embroidery thread.
Small sharp scissors: To cut the thread end cleanly.
Good light: This helps you see the small needle eye.
Maybe a needle threader: Especially helpful for tiny holes or thick threads.

Preparing Your Thread

Getting the thread ready is key to easy threading.

Cutting the Thread

Cut a length of embroidery thread. About 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) is good. Longer pieces can knot up easily when you stitch. Shorter pieces mean you stop to rethread more often. Pick a length that feels right for you.

Use sharp scissors to cut the thread end cleanly. A clean, sharp cut gives you a neat point to push through the needle eye. A frayed end is much harder to push through.

Types of Embroidery Thread

Embroidery thread, especially embroidery floss, is usually made of six thin strands twisted together. You can use all six strands at once for thicker lines and fuller stitches. Or, you can separate the strands and use fewer (like two or three) for finer details or thinner lines. This guide will show you how to thread both. Threading a needle works similarly for most threads, but the thickness changes things.

The Basic Way To Thread A Needle (No Threader Needed)

This is the most common way to thread a needle. It just uses your hands. It works well for most threads and needles.

Picking the Right Needle Eye

First, make sure your embroidery thread matches your needle. A thin thread is hard to thread into a huge needle eye. A thick thread is hard to push into a tiny needle eye. Choose a needle where the eye seems about the same size or slightly bigger than your thread thickness.

Step-by-Step Basic Threading

Here are the simple steps to thread your needle without any tools:

Take the end of your embroidery thread.
Make the end as flat and neat as possible. You can do this by squeezing it tightly between your thumb and finger. Some people lightly lick the end (if safe for the thread and project) to make it stiff and flat.
Hold the needle in one hand. Hold it steady. The hole is the needle eye.
Hold the flat end of the thread in your other hand.
Bring the thread end to the needle eye.
Carefully push the very tip of the thread through the needle eye. It’s like trying to put a tiny string through a tiny hole.
Once the very tip of the thread is through the needle eye, grab that tip on the other side of the needle.
Pull the thread through the rest of the way. Pull enough thread through so you have a tail about 6 inches (15 cm) long. This tail keeps the thread from coming out while you stitch.

It might take a few tries! Keep the thread end flat. Hold the needle still. Focus on the small needle eye.

Helpful Basic Threading Tricks

Sometimes pushing the thread straight through doesn’t work easily. Here are two popular tricks that can help:

The Pinch Method

This method uses your fingers to create a firm loop that’s easier to push.

Cut the end of your embroidery thread clean.
Hold the thread between the thumb and pointer finger of one hand.
Pinch the thread very tightly between your fingers. Pinch it right at the cut end. Pinch it hard.
You want the thread end to be trapped tightly between your fingerprints. Just a tiny bit of the thread end should stick out. It should look like a tiny, stiff point.
Hold your needle in the other hand. Bring the needle eye to the pinched thread end.
Touch the needle eye right onto the tiny thread point sticking out from your fingers.
Now, gently rub your thumb and finger together while the needle eye is still touching the thread point. This rubbing motion often helps push that tiny, stiff thread point through the needle eye.
Keep rubbing gently until you see the thread pop through the other side of the needle eye.
Grab the loop or tail that came through.
Pull the rest of the embroidery thread through the needle eye.

This method makes the soft thread end stiff for a moment. It’s like making a tiny, hard wire to push through.

The Fold Method

This method makes a small loop at the thread end.

Cut the end of your embroidery thread clean.
Hold the thread end between your thumb and pointer finger.
Fold the very tip of the thread back onto itself. Just fold a tiny bit, about the size of the needle eye.
Pinch this tiny folded loop tightly between your fingers. Make it as flat as you can.
Now you have a tiny loop end instead of a single thread end. This loop might be easier to see and push.
Hold the needle in your other hand.
Bring the needle eye to the tiny folded loop.
Carefully push the folded loop through the needle eye.
Once the loop is through, grab it on the other side.
Pull the loop and the rest of the thread through the needle eye.

Some people find the folded loop easier to handle than the single thread end, especially if the thread is a bit fuzzy.

Using a Helper: The Needle Threader

Sometimes, the needle eye is very small needle eye. Or you might be using multiple strands of embroidery floss. This can make basic threading a needle hard. A needle threader is a great tool to help.

What is a Needle Threader?

A needle threader is a small tool that makes threading a needle easier. It usually has a thin wire loop or a tiny hook attached to a flat handle or plate. The thin wire or hook is easy to push through the needle eye. Then you put your thread through the wire loop or hook. Finally, you pull the wire or hook back out of the needle, bringing the thread with it. Using a threader saves time and can ease frustration.

Types of Needle Threaders

Wire Loop Threaders: These are the most common type. They have a thin, bendy wire shaped into a diamond or oval loop. The loop is attached to a flat piece of metal or plastic. The wire can break if you use it with too much force or with too thick a thread.
Plastic Plate Threaders: Some sewing machines and modern kits include threaders with a plastic handle and a small metal hook or guide. These can be sturdier but work slightly differently than the wire type.
Automatic Threaders: Some high-end needles or tools have a built-in threading helper. These are less common for basic hand embroidery needles.

This guide will focus on the common wire loop threader and the plastic plate threader.

How To Use A Wire Loop Needle Threader

This is very easy! It’s especially good for threading a needle with a small needle eye.

Take your needle threader.
Look at the wire loop end.
Hold your needle steady.
Push the wire loop of the needle threader through the needle eye. Push it all the way through until the loop comes out the other side of the needle eye.
Now you have the wire loop sticking out of the needle eye.
Take your embroidery thread. Put the end of the embroidery thread through the wire loop. Make sure it’s fully inside the wire loop. If you are using multiple strands, put all of them through the loop. The loop is bigger than the needle eye, so this is easier.
Hold the needle and the needle threader handle.
Gently pull the needle threader back out of the needle eye. As you pull the wire loop back, it will pull the embroidery thread that you put through it, right through the needle eye.
Keep pulling the threader until the wire loop is completely out of the needle.
Your embroidery thread is now threaded through the needle eye! Pull a tail of thread through, about 6 inches (15 cm).

Be gentle when pulling the threader back. If you use too thick a thread for the needle eye, the wire loop might break.

How To Use A Plastic Plate Needle Threader (Common Type)

Some threaders on a plastic plate have a small metal hook or a slit design. Here’s how a common hook type works:

Find the small metal hook or wire on the plastic plate threader.
Take your needle. Hold it with the needle eye facing up or towards the threader.
Place the needle eye onto the metal hook or wire of the threader. The hook should go into the needle eye.
Now, take your embroidery thread. Lay the thread across the hook, letting it rest in the hook’s opening.
Hold the needle steady on the hook.
Gently pull the embroidery thread downwards or sideways (depending on the threader design). The hook should catch the thread and pull it through the needle eye.
Once the thread loop pops through the needle eye, grab it.
Pull the loop and the rest of the thread through the needle.

These threaders can be less fragile than the thin wire ones, but you need to position the needle eye correctly on the hook.

Handling Different Threading Situations

Threading a needle isn’t always the same. What if you need multiple strands? What if the needle eye is really small needle eye? Here are some specific threading techniques for these cases.

Threading Multiple Strands

Embroidery floss comes in 6 strands. You might want to use 2, 3, 4, or even all 6 strands at once for your hand embroidery. Threading multiple strands at once can be tricky.

Using the Basic Method with Multiple Strands:
- Cut the embroidery floss to length.
- Decide how many strands you need. If you need 3 strands, separate 3 strands from the 6. Hold the end of the 6 strands in one hand. Pull one strand slowly and smoothly out from the top with the other hand. It will slide out. Repeat until you have the number of strands you want. Keep the strands you separated together.
- Line up the ends of your chosen multiple strands. Make them as even as possible.
- Pinch the ends together very tightly between your finger and thumb. Make the combined end flat and stiff.
- Try the basic push-through method or the pinch method described earlier. The key is to keep all the strand ends together and flat. This is harder than with a single strand.
Using a Needle Threader with Multiple Strands: This is often the easiest way!
- Take your needle threader.
- Push the wire loop through the needle eye.
- Gather the ends of your multiple strands. Make sure they are together.
- Push all the ends of your multiple strands through the wire loop of the threader.
- Hold the needle and threader.
- Gently pull the threader back through the needle eye. It will pull all the strands through at once.
- Pull a tail of the threaded embroidery thread.

Using a threader is highly recommended when working with multiple strands. It manages them much better than your fingers alone.

Threading With A Small Needle Eye

Some embroidery projects use very fine needles with a small needle eye. Think about bead embroidery or working with very thin threads. Threading these can be a test of patience!

Good Light is Key: Make sure you are in a well-lit place. A lamp directed at the needle helps a lot.
Background Contrast: Hold the needle eye against a contrasting background. If your thread is light, hold the needle against something dark. If your thread is dark, hold it against something light. This helps you see the hole clearly.
Clean, Sharp Thread End: Use the sharpest scissors you have to get the cleanest cut possible on your embroidery thread. A perfect point is your best friend.
Stiffen the End: If your thread type allows (check if it will damage the thread), you can lightly wet the very tip of the thread end or touch it to a tiny bit of beeswax or thread conditioner. This can help stiffen it just enough to push through a small needle eye. Let it dry for a second if you wet it.
Use a Needle Threader: A needle threader designed for small needle eye needles is incredibly helpful. Look for threaders with very thin wire loops. Be extra gentle, as the thin wire breaks easily. Using a threader is often the simplest solution here.
Magnification: If needed, use a magnifying glass or glasses to see the small needle eye better.

Threading Tricky Threads

Some embroidery thread types are harder to thread than standard cotton embroidery floss. Metallic threads can be stiff and unravel. Fuzzy threads can fray at the end.

Metallic Threads: These are prone to separating and kinking.
- Cut the end very cleanly.
- Stiffen the end with a tiny bit of clear nail polish or thread conditioner (let it dry!). This glues the little strands together.
- Definitely use a needle threader. It manages the stiff thread best.
- Consider using shorter lengths of metallic thread to reduce frustration.
Fuzzy Threads (like some wools or specialty threads): These fray easily.
- Cut the end cleanly with sharp scissors.
- Try the pinch method to keep the end tight and controlled.
- Use a needle threader. Push the wire loop through the needle eye, put the fuzzy thread through the loop, and pull it back. The threader helps compact the fuzz slightly to fit.

Helpful Tips For Easier Threading

Here are some extra tips to make threading a needle for your hand embroidery projects smoother.

Always use good light. This is worth saying again! It makes a huge difference.
Keep thread ends neat. Cut just before threading. If the end gets messy, snip it again.
Don’t cut your thread too long. This leads to tangles while stitching and doesn’t help with threading.
Match your needle to your thread. A size 20 embroidery needle has a bigger eye than a size 26. Thicker threads need bigger eyes. Threading a needle is much harder if the fit is too tight before you even start pushing.
Relax. If you’re feeling frustrated, take a break. Tight hands make threading harder.
Practice. The more you do threading a needle, the easier it becomes.

Troubleshooting: What To Do If It’s Hard

Even with tips, sometimes threading a needle just doesn’t seem to work. Here are common problems and how to fix them.

Problem: The thread end keeps bending or fraying when I try to push it.
- Fix: Cut the end again with sharp scissors. Make sure the cut is straight and clean. Try wetting the very tip or using a tiny bit of beeswax/conditioner if your thread type allows. Try the pinch method to stiffen the end.
Problem: I can’t see the needle eye well.
- Fix: Move to a brighter light source. Use a lamp. Hold the needle against a contrasting background. Consider getting a magnifying glass or using reading glasses if needed.
Problem: The thread is too thick for the needle eye.
- Fix: You are using the wrong size needle. Get a needle with a bigger eye. Or, if using embroidery floss, use fewer strands.
Problem: The thread keeps slipping out of the needle eye after I thread it.
- Fix: Make sure you are pulling a long enough tail of thread through (about 6 inches or 15 cm). This tail is held by your stitching hand and keeps the thread in place. Once you make a few stitches, the thread will be secured.
Problem: My needle threader wire broke.
- Fix: This happens, especially with thick thread or small needle eye needles. Get a new threader. Be gentler next time, and ensure the thread and needle are a reasonable match even when using a threader.

Interpreting Different Threading Methods

We’ve looked at several ways to get embroidery thread through the needle eye. These are different threading techniques you can use.

Basic Push: Good for standard needles and threads. Simple and quick once you get the hang of it. Best for single strands or a couple of strands of floss.
Pinch Method: Great for giving the thread end a little extra stiffness and control. Helpful for slightly fuzzy ends or small needle eye needles without a threader.
Fold Method: Can help if the thread end is very soft or if you find the tiny loop easier to see than a single strand.
Using a Needle Threader: The easiest method for multiple strands, a small needle eye, or tricky threads like metallics. It’s a tool that does the hard part for you. Essential if you struggle with basic methods.

Choosing the right threading techniques depends on your needle, your embroidery thread, and what feels most comfortable and successful for you. Many people use a mix of these methods depending on their project.

Fathoming Why Proper Threading Matters

Why spend time learning threading techniques? Does it really make a difference in your hand embroidery? Yes, it does!

Prevents Knots: When you thread your needle smoothly, the thread goes through the eye neatly. This makes it less likely to twist and form frustrating knots while you are stitching.
Smooth Stitching: Thread that goes through the needle eye easily will pull through your fabric more smoothly as you stitch. It won’t catch or fray as much at the eye.
Less Frustration: Spending less time struggling to thread means more time stitching! It makes the whole process more enjoyable.
Protects Your Thread: Forcing a thick thread through a small needle eye can strip or damage the thread itself, making it look worse in your finished hand embroidery. Proper threading helps protect the embroidery thread.

Practice Makes Perfect

Don’t get discouraged if threading a needle feels hard at first. It takes a little practice. Try the different methods described here. See which one works best for you, your needles, and your embroidery thread. Keep your tools ready and your light good. Soon, threading will be a fast and simple step before you get to the fun part: stitching!

Final Thoughts

Threading a needle is a basic skill for hand embroidery. Whether you use simple threading techniques with your fingers or get help using a threader, the goal is to get your embroidery thread through the needle eye smoothly. Remember to choose the right needle size, prepare your thread end, and use good light. With a little practice, you’ll be threading your needle quickly and getting to the joy of stitching your beautiful designs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use regular sewing thread for hand embroidery?

A: You can, but embroidery thread (embroidery floss) is usually better. Embroidery floss is thicker, has multiple strands you can separate, and gives richer color and texture to your stitches. Sewing thread is thinner and designed for different uses.

Q: How long should the tail of thread be after I thread the needle?

A: About 6 inches (15 cm) is a good length. It gives you enough to hold while making your first few stitches and helps keep the thread from coming out of the needle eye.

Q: My thread keeps twisting as I stitch. Is that related to threading?

A: It can be. If the thread is twisted when you thread it, it might twist more as you stitch. Also, the motion of stitching naturally causes some twist. Letting your needle and thread dangle freely now and then can help the thread untwist. Using shorter lengths of embroidery thread also helps prevent twisting.

Q: What is the best way to thread multiple strands?

A: Using a threader is usually the easiest and most reliable way to thread multiple strands of embroidery floss through a needle eye.

Q: My thread end keeps getting fuzzy when I try to thread it. What am I doing wrong?

A: This often happens with dull scissors. Use sharp scissors to cut your embroidery thread end. Cut it right before you try to thread. Try the pinch method to keep the fuzzy strands together, or use a needle threader.

Q: Are all needle eye shapes the same?

A: No. While most embroidery needles have a longer, oval needle eye compared to round sewing needle eyes, there can be slight differences between needle types and sizes. Some specialty needles have different eye shapes.

Q: Can wetting the thread end damage it?

A: For most cotton embroidery floss, a light touch of water is fine and helps flatten the end. However, some threads (like silk or rayon) might be sensitive. Always test on a scrap first if unsure. Beeswax or thread conditioner is a safer bet for many threads.