How To Thread Embroidery Needle: Easy Guide For Beginners

Want to start hand embroidery? A key first step is getting thread through the tiny hole in the needle. How do you thread an embroidery needle? You can do it by hand, use a simple tool called a needle threader, or try a neat trick like the loop method. This guide makes it simple for anyone starting out.

Embroidery is a fun craft. But threading the needle can feel tricky at first. Don’s worry! It’s easy once you know how. Let’s look at the simple ways to get your embroidery floss ready.

How To Thread Embroidery Needle
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Grasping the Basics: What You Need

Before you thread, get your stuff ready. You need just a few things.

A needle. For embroidery, you often use a crewel needle. These needles have a sharp point and a medium-sized needle eye.
Thread. This is usually embroidery floss. It can be stranded cotton or other types.
Maybe a needle threader or other threading aid.

That’s it! Simple tools for a beautiful craft.

Method 1: Threading Needle by Hand

This is the most common way. It just uses your hands and the thread.

Getting Your Thread Ready

First, take your embroidery floss. This floss usually has six thin strands twisted together. You can use all six strands or pull some apart. Beginners often start with two or three strands.

Cut a piece of floss. Don’t cut it too long. About 18 to 24 inches is good. Longer pieces can get tangled or cause frayed thread as you sew.

Straightening the End

The end of your thread must be straight and neat. A frayed thread end is hard to push through the needle eye.

Hold the thread end between your finger and thumb.
Lick the very tip a tiny bit. Just a quick touch. This makes the fibers stick together.
Pinch the end flat and pull it straight.

Now the end should be firm and pointy. Ready for the needle!

Pushing Through the Needle Eye

Here comes the main part.

Hold the needle in one hand. Put the needle eye close to your other hand.
Take the prepared thread end.
Look closely at the needle eye. Make sure you can see the hole clearly. Good light helps a lot!
Push the firm thread end into the needle eye. Push it straight in.
If it doesn’t go in, pull it back. Try again. Maybe wet the end again and make it flat.
Keep trying until the thread pops through the other side.
Once a little bit is through, grab it and pull the thread through the eye. Pull enough so you have a tail about 4-6 inches long.

You did it! You threaded the needle by hand.

Method 2: Using a Needle Threader

Sometimes, the needle eye is very small. Or maybe your eyes need a little help. A needle threader is a great threading aid. These tools are cheap and easy to find.

Types of Needle Threaders

The most common needle threader is a small flat piece of metal or plastic. It has a thin wire loop on one end. The wire loop is the key part.

There are also other types. Some look like pens. Some have a hook. But the wire loop type is the basic one.

How the Wire Loop Threader Works

This tool makes the needle eye bigger, in a way. It gives you a larger loop to push your thread through.

Here are the steps:

Take your needle.
Take your needle threader.
Push the wire loop of the needle threader through the needle eye. Push it all the way through until the wire loop is sticking out the other side of the needle. The wire loop is flexible.
Now, take your thread. Hold the thread end.
Put the thread end through the wire loop of the needle threader. It’s much easier to get the thread through this larger wire loop than the tiny needle eye.
Pull the end of the thread through the wire loop a little.
Now, hold the needle with one hand. Hold the needle threader with the other hand.
Gently pull the needle threader back out of the needle. As you pull the needle threader out, its wire loop pulls the thread back through the needle eye.
Keep pulling the needle threader until the wire loop is completely out of the needle. The thread will now be through the needle eye.
Pull the thread through the needle eye to make a tail about 4-6 inches long.

Look! The needle is threaded! Using a needle threader is very helpful, especially with fine thread or small needles. It’s a fantastic threading aid for anyone doing hand embroidery.

Method 3: The Loop Method Threading

This method is a bit different. It’s very popular with cross-stitchers, but works for other hand embroidery too. It’s especially good when using an even number of strands, like two or four strands of stranded cotton.

Why Use the Loop Method?

This method helps you start stitching without a knot. It also secures the thread firmly. You start with a loop instead of a single tail.

How to Do the Loop Method

This method works best when you are using an even number of strands from your embroidery floss (like 2, 4, or 6). Let’s say you want to use two strands.

Cut a length of embroidery floss. Make it about twice as long as you normally would. If you need 20 inches of thread for stitching, cut 40 inches.
Do not separate the two strands if you plan to use two. Keep them together.
Fold the long piece of thread in half. Now the two ends are together. There is a loop at the other end.
Take the two cut ends of the thread. Hold them together.
Prepare these two ends like you would in the threading needle by hand method. Maybe wet them a little, then pinch them flat and pointy.
Push these two ends together through the needle eye. You can do this by hand or use a needle threader. If using a threader, put the two ends through the wire loop.
Pull the two ends through the needle eye until the loop end of the thread is close to the needle. The loop should be long enough to easily put your finger through it.
Now, when you start stitching, you will make your first stitch. You will pull the needle through the fabric. Then, before pulling the thread tight, pass the needle through the loop you left near the eye.
Pull the thread tight. The loop will catch on the back of the fabric, securing your thread without a knot.

This loop method threading is a neat trick for starting stitches cleanly. It’s a great skill for hand embroidery.

Facing Common Challenges

Even with simple tools and methods, you might hit a snag. Don’t worry, it happens to everyone!

Frayed Thread

This is super common. Especially with longer pieces of thread or if you pull the thread through the fabric many times. The end of the embroidery floss can become frayed thread. The fibers split apart.

Why it happens: Friction from pulling through fabric, being handled too much, or old thread.
How to fix it: Cut off the frayed thread end. Prepare the new end by wetting and flattening it. Try again. If it keeps fraying fast, cut a shorter piece of thread.
How to prevent it: Use shorter lengths of thread. Don’t pull the thread through the fabric too harshly. You can also buy thread conditioner (like beeswax or a special wax stick) to help keep the fibers together.

Small Needle Eye

Some needles, especially sharp ones or smaller sizes, have a tiny needle eye. This makes threading needle by hand difficult.

Solution: Use a needle threader. This is exactly what they are made for! It’s the best threading aid for small eyes.
Another idea: Try different types of needles. Crewel needles often have a medium-sized eye good for embroidery floss. Sharp needles might have smaller eyes. Chenille needles have larger eyes but are blunt.

Difficulty Seeing the Eye

The needle eye is small. Good light is your friend here.

Solution: Sit near a window or use a good lamp. A lamp with a magnifying glass is even better.
Another idea: Contrast helps. Place the needle against a dark surface if your thread is light, or a light surface if your thread is dark.

Thread That Won’t Go Straight

Sometimes the end of the embroidery floss just won’t stay pointed.

Solution: Wet the end slightly more. Pinch it very flat and sharp between your finger and thumbnail. Twist the very tip gently if needed to make it one point.
Consider: Is the thread old? Old thread can be brittle and harder to work with.

More Tips for Easy Threading

Making threading quick and easy means more time for the fun part: stitching!

Cut the thread end at an angle. Use sharp scissors. Cutting at an angle makes a pointier end than cutting straight across.
Use sharp scissors. Dull scissors can chew the thread end, causing frayed thread.
Wet the thread end with lip balm or wax. Instead of just water, a tiny bit of lip balm or beeswax can make the thread end stiff and smooth, easier to push through the needle eye. This acts like a simple threading aid.
Use a lighted magnifier. For very small needles or difficult thread, a light with a magnifier makes the needle eye look bigger and brighter.
Practice. The more you thread, the easier it becomes! Your fingers learn the feel.

Deciphering Different Threads and Needles

Your choice of thread and needle affects threading.

Embroidery Floss and Stranded Cotton

Most hand embroidery uses embroidery floss. This is usually made of stranded cotton. It comes as 6 strands loosely twisted together.

Thickness: You can use all 6 strands, or separate them to use 1, 2, 3, or more. Using fewer strands means thinner thread, which is easier to get through a smaller needle eye. Using more strands makes a thicker line of stitching, but requires a larger eye.
Quality: Higher quality stranded cotton tends to be smoother and less likely to become frayed thread.

Crewel Needles

For beginners doing surface hand embroidery, crewel needles are a top choice.

Point: They have a sharp point to easily go through fabric.
Eye: They have a medium-long needle eye that is big enough for multiple strands of embroidery floss (like 2-3 strands easily, maybe 4-6 with effort or a threader).

Other Needles

Chenille Needles: Also sharp, but have a much larger needle eye. Great for thicker threads or yarn, but might leave a bigger hole in fine fabric. Easier to thread by hand.
Tapestry Needles: Blunt point and large eye. Used for counting stitches on fabric or canvas (like cross-stitch or needlepoint), not pushing through tight weave. Very easy to thread by hand.

Choosing the right needle for your thread and fabric makes everything easier, including threading. If you are using 3 strands of stranded cotton, a crewel needle in size 7 or 9 is usually a good fit. If you are using 6 strands, you might need a larger crewel needle (size 5 or 6) or a chenille needle.

The Importance of Easy Threading

Why spend time learning good threading methods?

Saves Time: Quick threading means more stitching time.
Reduces Frustration: Less struggling means more enjoyment. Frayed thread and tiny eyes can be annoying!
Protects Thread: Proper technique helps prevent frayed thread before you even start stitching.
Smoother Start: Methods like the loop method threading give you a clean beginning to your stitching.

Making threading a simple step frees you up to focus on the fun creative part of hand embroidery. Using a threading aid like a needle threader is not “cheating” – it’s smart!

Stepping Through the Process: A Quick Look

Here is a simple comparison of the main methods.

Method	How it Works	Tools Needed	Best For	Notes
Threading by Hand	Push thread end through needle eye.	Needle, Thread (Embroidery floss), Hands.	Medium to large needle eye, non-frayed thread.	Basic skill. Need a neat thread end.
Using a Needle Threader	Use wire loop to pull thread through needle eye.	Needle, Thread (Embroidery floss), Needle threader.	Small needle eye, fine threads.	Excellent threading aid. Easy for beginners.
Loop Method Threading	Fold thread, push folded ends through needle eye, leave loop.	Needle, Thread (even number of strands of stranded cotton), Hands (or Needle threader).	Starting stitching without a knot, using even strands.	Special start technique. Uses longer thread initially.

No matter which method you choose, the goal is to get the embroidery floss through the needle eye so you can start your hand embroidery project.

Expanding Your Skills

Once you are comfortable threading a crewel needle with stranded cotton for basic hand embroidery, you might try other types of thread or needles.

Metallic Thread: Can be slippery and prone to frayed thread. Use a needle threader and shorter lengths. Thread conditioner is very helpful.
Ribbon: Special needles with large eyes are needed for ribbon embroidery. The ribbon itself must be kept flat when threading.
Very Fine Threads: Like sewing thread or a single strand of embroidery floss. These need needles with small eyes. A needle threader is almost a must.

Each type of thread and style of hand embroidery might lead you to try different needles and threading aid tools. But the basic actions remain the same: get the thread end clean and straight, and guide it through the needle eye.

Keeping Your Tools Ready

To make threading always easy:

Keep needle eyes clean: Check for lint or old thread bits in the needle eye.
Store needles safely: Use a needle book or box. This protects the points and keeps the eyes clear.
Have a needle threader handy: Keep one in your project bag or near where you stitch. They are small and get lost easily! Consider having a few.
Use sharp scissors: Keep a small pair of sharp scissors just for thread. Don’t use them to cut paper! Paper dulls scissors fast and will lead to frayed thread ends.

Taking care of your simple tools makes your hand embroidery journey smoother from the very first step of threading.

Refining Your Technique

Even the simple act of threading can be improved.

Hold the needle still: Instead of trying to push the thread into a wobbly needle eye, hold the needle firmly.
Push the thread, don’t just poke: Make sure the thread end is stiff enough to be pushed straight through.
Angle the thread: Sometimes, holding the thread end at a slight angle to the needle eye can help it slip in.
Use gravity: Let the thread hang down while you hold the needle up. This keeps the thread end straight.

These tiny adjustments can make a big difference, especially when you are threading needle by hand.

Reviewing Thread Types and Their Quirks

Let’s look closer at embroidery floss and stranded cotton. They are often the same thing! Embroidery floss is the general name for the thread used in embroidery. Most of it is made of stranded cotton.

Strands: Remember it has 6 strands. You decide how many to use. More strands = thicker stitch. Fewer strands = thinner stitch.
Separating Strands: To use fewer than 6 strands, hold the end of the floss. Gently pull one strand up and away from the rest. It might look like it’s tangling, but it usually slips free from the others. Then pull another if needed. Smooth the remaining strands together before threading. Separating correctly prevents knots later.
Material: Stranded cotton is the most common. But floss can also be silk, rayon, linen, or blends. Silk is very smooth and beautiful, but can be slippery and hard to thread. Rayon is shiny but can fray easily. Cotton is often the easiest for beginners.

Understanding your thread helps you handle it better, from separating strands to preventing frayed thread and choosing the right needle eye.

Final Thoughts on Threading

Threading your needle is the first step in creating beautiful hand embroidery. It might seem hard at first, like tying a shoelace. But with practice and the right tools, it becomes second nature.

Remember the main methods: threading needle by hand, using a needle threader, and the clever loop method threading. Keep your thread ends neat to avoid frayed thread. Choose a needle with a suitable needle eye for your embroidery floss (a crewel needle is great for beginners). And don’t hesitate to use a threading aid if you need one.

Happy stitching!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

A: Frayed thread usually happens if the thread end is handled too much, is dry, or if your scissors are dull. Cut the end cleanly with sharp scissors. Wet the end slightly or use a little wax/lip balm. Pinch it flat and pointy right before you push it through the needle eye. Using shorter lengths of embroidery floss can also help prevent fraying.

Q: What is the easiest way to thread a needle with a very small eye?

A: The easiest way is to use a needle threader. This threading aid has a thin wire loop that easily goes through tiny eyes. You put your thread through the loop, then pull the loop back through the needle, taking the thread with it.

Q: Can I use the loop method with any amount of thread strands?

A: The loop method threading works best with an even number of strands (like 2, 4, or 6) from your stranded cotton. This is because you fold the thread in half first. If you used an odd number like 3, you’d have 1.5 strands, which doesn’t work. If you want to stitch with 3 strands, use the threading needle by hand method or a needle threader with 3 separate strands.

Q: What kind of needle is best for beginners doing hand embroidery?

A: A crewel needle is excellent for beginner hand embroidery. It has a sharp point that goes through fabric easily and a medium-sized needle eye that fits 2-3 strands of standard embroidery floss well.

Q: My embroidery floss is six strands. Do I always have to use all six?

A: No! Stranded cotton (embroidery floss) is designed so you can easily separate the 6 strands. You can use 1, 2, 3, or more strands depending on how thick you want your stitch to be. For many basic stitches, 2 or 3 strands are common. Use the technique mentioned earlier to gently pull away the number of strands you need.

Q: What is a “threading aid”?

A: A threading aid is any tool that helps you get thread through the needle eye. The most common example is a needle threader with a wire loop. Other aids might include magnifiers with lights, or even simple things like wax that makes the thread end stiffer.

Q: Is it better to thread from the front or the back of the needle eye?

A: For threading needle by hand, it doesn’t usually matter if you push the thread through the eye from the front or the back. What’s important is pushing the thread straight through the center of the hole. When using a needle threader, you push the threader’s loop through the eye (usually from the point end towards the eye end, then put the thread through the loop and pull it back). Follow the threader’s design.

Q: Why does my needle threader keep breaking?

A: Wire loop needle threaders are delicate. The wire can break if you pull too hard, try to thread too thick a thread through too small an eye, or if the wire gets bent sharply. Try to be gentle and use the right size needle for your thread. Keep spare threaders handy!

Q: Can I thread multiple needles at once to save time?

A: Yes, you can thread several needles before you start stitching. This is a great tip, especially if you will be using the same color thread for a while. Just make sure the tails don’t get tangled! You can stick the threaded needles into a pincushion or a piece of felt.

Q: Does the type of fabric affect how easy it is to thread?

A: Not directly. Threading is about getting the thread into the needle. However, the fabric you are using might influence the type of needle you choose (sharper for tightly woven fabrics, blunt for evenweave fabrics), which in turn affects the size and shape of the needle eye, thus impacting threading. For example, working on Aida cloth for cross-stitch might mean you use a blunt tapestry needle with a big eye, which is very easy to thread by hand.