Do you struggle with threading a needle and find it frustrating? You’re not alone. It seems like most people – even those with perfect vision and good coordination – can sometimes struggle with threading a needle.
Of course, there are products that aid in the process and make the job easier. If you have never used a needle threader tool, you definitely have not experienced its life-changing power. It can make a dreadful task a breeze.
So, what are the best needle threader tools? The best needle threader tools are easy to use and track, and allow for versatility when working on different projects. They should only increase your productivity rather than complicating your process.
In this article, let’s learn about needle threaders and how you can use them to make hand sewing much easier.
Needle Threader Tools – Buying Guide
Needle threaders are simple tools – they help you insert a small thread through the eyelet with ease. You may think that there’s not much to consider when buying them, but believe it or not, there are quite a few things to consider when you buy a needle threader!
Let’s take a look at some key factors to consider below.
Automatic Needle Threaders Vs. Manual Needle Threaders
Needle threaders actually come in a few forms: automatic or manual. With an automatic needle threader, you only need to insert your needle and the thread in place; press a button, and the threader will complete the task for you.
Automatic needle threaders are great for people whose eyesight or coordination may not be great because they cannot get simpler than this.
However, automatic threaders are generally less versatile than manual threaders since they usually only accommodate several needle and thread sizes. Because of their designs, they also can only be used for hand sewing.
On the other hand, manual needle threaders can be used for both hand sewing and a sewing machine. There are a few designs for manual threaders – you can have a small tab with a wire or even a small piece of metal with a hook at the end to help you grab the thread.
Manual needle threaders are a bit trickier to work with. You will still need to have good eyesight and proper command of your hands because you will still be physically pulling a thread through the eyelet of your needle. However, there are a few designs for manual needle threaders, and you can opt for the one that works best for you.
Ease Of Use
The greatest purpose of a needle threader is to make life easier for you when you want to hand sew, so of course, ease of use would be the first thing you need to consider.
The easiest needle threader to use would be the automatic kind. You don’t need to do so much maneuvering with this “machine,” you only need to put the needle and the thread in the right places, and the threader will get the job done with just a touch of a button.
With the manual threader, you still have to physically rope the thread in place and use the threader to pull it through, so you still need good eyesight and a delicate hand to work.
Some manual threaders have a small wire that you can loop the thread through, while others have a small hook that allows you to pull the thread through. Those who have worked with a crochet hook prefer the hook mechanism, but the wire design is what works well for most people.
Easy To Track
Needle threaders are very small devices that can get lost easily, especially if your craft space is always cluttered with fabric. This is why most needle threaders are in neon colors that are very easy to spot from a distance.
Needle threaders also often come in pairs (or even in bulk) so that you wouldn’t mind losing one (or a few).
Versatility
Versatility refers to a needle threader’s ability to work with a few types of application: machine sewing or hand sewing, as well as whether the threader can work with different needle sizes and thread sizes.
Automatic needle threaders work well for hand sewing needles but won’t be able to work with sewing machines. Most automatic threaders also only accommodate only two sizes of needles that can work with sewing threads or yarn.
On the other hand, manual threaders usually work with both hand sewing and machine sewing. Some designs, such as the wire threader, can work with both fine threads as well as thicker yarns. Other designs, such as the hook design, only work well with fine threads but not with yarn and tapestry needles.
How versatile you need your needle threader to be really is up to your personal preference and how often you need the needle threader for each purpose.
How To Use A Needle Threader
How does a needle threader make your sewing easier? We have all struggled with threading very fine threads with a tiny little eyelet on your needle. A needle threader is an assistive tool that can help with that.
Automatic Needle Threader
If you have an automatic needle threader, it does almost everything for you. First, you will need to locate the spot where the needle needs to go and place the needle (with the eyelet facing down) inside that compartment.
Then, you need to place the thread in the hollow space next to the needle. After everything’s in place, you only press the lever on the side of the threader, and the thread will automatically be looped through the small eyelet.
You can pull the thread all the way through and remove the needle, and you should be good to go. Magical, right?
Manual Needle Threader
If you have a manual needle threader, you still have to physically pull the thread through the eyelet, but with the help of the threader.
First, you need to insert the small wire (or hook) of the threader through the needle’s eyelet. Since the wire is stiff, it should go through the eyelet very easily, but you still need to have good eyesight to identify where the eyelet is, as well as some motor control to guide the entire operation.
Then, you can insert the thread through the wire on the other side of the eyelet (or loop the thread around the hook) and pull the threader so that the thread is pulled through the eyelet.
As you can tell, it may be easier to thread a small needle this way (compared to threading without any assistance), but you still need pretty good control to be able to thread your needle. This is why a manual threader is usually not very helpful to those who lack good vision or motor control skills.
Best Needle Threader Tools
Depending on whether you need the needle threader to be convenient or highly versatile, you can opt for a needle threader that works for you. Let’s take a look at a few highly functional and convenient needle threaders below.
Rank | Product | Key Features |
---|---|---|
1. | SINGER 00056 Plastic Needle Threaders | Manual, easy to use, 3 pack |
2. | Hula Needle Threaders | 30 pack, several colors, steel/copper wire |
3. | Jofefe Stainless Steel Needle Threader | Hook tool, 60 pack, easy to use |
4. | LED Needle Threader Sewing Tools | LED tools, ergonomic handle |
5. | Dritz 202 LED Needle Threader With Cutter | Bright LED, finger grips, thread cutter |
6. | DMC 3-in-1 Needle Threader | Two hooks, machine or hand sewing |
7. | Automatic Needle Threader | Automatic, motored, for fine thread |
8. | Bohin Super Automatic Needle Threader | Automatic, two needle holders |
9. | Clover Ultimate Needle Threader | Desktop, compact, easy to use |
Manual Needle Threaders
1. SINGER 00056 Plastic Needle Threaders
SINGER, the renowned sewing accessories brand, offers an excellent needle threader in its collection.
These Plastic Needle Threaders make threading small eye needles easier and less time-consuming. These Hand and Machine Sewing Needle Threaders feature a durable plastic construction that is bright red, which makes them very easy to keep track of.
These small tools allow for quick and easy threading of small sewing needles and can be used with sewing thread, embroidery floss, and Persian yarn.
Keep in mind that since the wire is delicate, you should avoid using it with chunky yarn because it won’t work as well.
This tool can be used for both sewing machines as well as hand sewing.
2. Hula Needle Threaders
If you feel more comfortable with the hook construction, perhaps because you are an avid crocheter, you will find working with these small needle threaders is a breeze.
This pack comes with 30 brightly-colored needle threaders made from durable ABS plastic and special steel wire/copper alloy to ensure their long life. The hook is very small, suitable for fine threads and embroidery threads.
You can use these needle threaders to thread your needle when you are hand sewing or when you are sewing with a machine. The hook can fit into very small eyelets to make threading much more convenient.
3. Jofefe Stainless Steel Needle Threader
This stainless steel needle threader is as simple as it gets, especially if you love the hook construction that is quite convenient for pulling the thread through with ease.
This stainless steel needle threader comes with two hooks, one to help you work with fine threads and the other to work with thicker yarn when you need to thread a tapestry needle.
The hooks are more pronounced than other needle threader designs, so you can easily grab the thread with ease.
In the middle, the stainless steel body also acts as the thumb rest to hold the threader while you work. This set comes with 60 needle threaders, so you have more than enough to go around without having to worry about losing them.
4. LED Needle Threader Sewing Tools
If your eyes, as well as your hands, need a little bit of assistance to thread needles for hand sewing and machine sewing, then you will appreciate how convenient these LED needle threaders are.
The LED is located right at the bottom of the wire to illuminate the area, which makes inserting the wire through the needle’s eyelet a much more convenient job.
This makes working in low light conditions much simpler, and you can achieve a more precise result in a shorter time.
The threader is equipped with an ergonomic handle made from environmentally friendly plastic, which makes it very convenient to hold and gives you more control over the operation.
The stainless steel wire is quite sturdy and can work with fine threads as well as medium-weight yarn. The plastic handle also houses the battery, and the package includes three G3-A batteries for your convenience.
5. Dritz 202 LED Needle Threader With Cutter
This needle threader is a smart, convenient solution for threading needles.
The retractable threader protects the wire when not in use, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged in your sewing box. A bright LED light activates when the threader is exposed to assist with your threading.
Additionally, there are some excellent smart designs that come with this needle threader. The finger grips provide stability and comfort, and the built-in thread cutter can conveniently cut your thread when you have completed the threading.
This is a very smart solution that packs several features into one device, and it is the ultimate threader to have in your toolbox!
6. DMC 3-in-1 Needle Threader
If versatility is what you need, then you will appreciate that this 3-in-1 needle threader can work with both hand sewing and machine sewing, as well as every type of thread you can think of!
This needle threader comes with a wire threader to help you with very fine threads. In addition, there are two hooks on each side, each with a different size to help you with embroidery thread as well as medium-weight yarn.
The plastic handle is wide enough for you to have a comfortable and firm handle as you work.
This design is really all you need if you are a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to sewing with different types of threads.
Automatic Needle Threaders
7. Automatic Needle Threader
This automatic needle threader makes the operation of threading a needle for hand sewing much simpler.
There’s a designated spot where you can insert your needle (with the eyelet facing downwards) and a spot where you can hang a fine thread. With just a touch of a button, the thread will be automatically threaded and ready to go!
This automatic needle threader is perfect for those who have problems with motor control and the elderly who may not be able to see fine threads very well.
It makes the process hassle-free and convenient, so you can easily take care of any quick sewing job!
Keep in mind that because of how this automatic threader is designed, it is only suitable for small needles and fine threads, and not tapestry needles and bigger yarn.
However, since fine threads and small needles are what people struggle with the most, so it’s still a highly useful tool to have in your craft box.
8. Bohin Super Automatic Needle Threader
If you want a convenient, versatile needle threader, this Bohin super-automatic needle threader really elevates ‘automatic’ threading to the next level.
There are two needle holders that allow this automatic threader to accommodate a wide range of needle sizes, from No. 1 to No. 11. You can thread very fine threads to embroidery threads using just a light press of the threader.
This threader also comes with a convenient thread cutter that can simplify this entire process with just one tool. This is truly everything you need in your sewing box for all kinds of sewing.
9. Clover Ultimate Needle Threader
If you worry about your needle threader getting lost, then this desk needle threader can really become a staple in your sewing corner.
Its design is quite simple, and it almost resembles a pencil sharpener. You can have it in a corner on your sewing desk and place the needle and thread down whenever you need to sew a finishing touch on your design.
This compact design works well with many needle sizes to make threading fine or medium-weight threads much simpler.
There’s even a convenient thread cutter to help complete the job with ease. This really is a staple in your sewing corner.
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