I recently shared this tip with one of my classes, and it was new information to many of them. While I have shared it previously on my blog, it seemed a good idea to share it again.
Sometimes you just can’t seem to get that thread through the eye of the needle, and you don’t have a needle threader handy. That’s ok. If you have some paper, you’ll be right!
To thread a needle with paper, cut a very narrow strip, about 1cm/0.5 inches long. It needs to be narrow enough to fit through the eye of the needle. Then fold the paper in half, insert the end of the thread into the little paper “pocket” so that the thread end sits inside, towards the fold.
Hold the folded paper (with thread inside), and feed the folded edge through the eye. It gives a “sharp” edge to thread through the eye, taking the thread with it.
This doesn’t work for needles with very narrow eyes such as straw needles, but if it helps you out with threading other needles, then that’s a bonus! Its cheap and easy, and if you lose your precious piece of paper, you can always cut a new one!
White Threads is the blog of Yvette Stanton, the author, designer, publisher behind Vetty Creations' quality needlework books and embroidery products.

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