Margo wrote:
Oh good, I have some of those somewhere. I'll give them a try.

lighted magnifying lamp. Only way to go!

BJ, lately I've been using Bohin Applique Needles in a size 10. I like the longer length and larger eye and find that after some use I actually create a little bend in the needle that makes it seem to work even better for me!

Bohin Applique Needle
Bohin offers a sturdier applique needle with the largest eye ever on an applique needle. Very polished.

http://www.shop.myneedlesandnotions.com/Hand-Applique-Long-Needles-Size-10-00624.htm;jsessionid=1D77AC5EC3D3C56E7F4E00C8A2A891FC.qscstrfrnt06

Margo wrote:
Margo, I have several of those needle threaders and they are really great. I usually applique by machine, even when turning the edge, and Ricky's stable stuff or Sharon Schamber's similar item to do the needle turn prep. But I thought I might try hand stitching one of my squares in my hugs and kisses since I'm making that as a sampler of applique methods. But I have a question...do you use tiny applique needles for your needle turn applique?

The reason I tried moving the lamp so I could have a different angle is that I have no trouble threading my machine needle as long as I park the needle at a certain height which obviously gives me the "perfect" angle for my eyes with the progressive lenses. Then I don't need the white behind it or trying to find the right side of the needle which was another thing I tried the first night with the applique needles.

So it seems to be a matter to try all the tips until you find what combination works for you.

...one more thing to try: turn your needle over and try threading it from the other side. Eyes of needles are punched and one side might have a little build up of some metal around eye. So...there is often an easy side to thread and hard side to thread on a needle. It always works for me!

I find that holding a white index card behind the needle helps me to focus on the eye and it's much easier to get the thread through. This also works when threading a sewing machine needle. And, of course, that good lighting is essential and the 'spit' helps too!

Debbie

Betty Ann--With the lamp in the original position I was doing the spitting on both the thread and needle and cutting the thread on an angle. With the different angle I was back to the days when my eyes were young and long before progressive lenses were even invented, let alone any glasses were needed. I was threading the needle with a little moisture on the thread end just like my grandma taught me and it was through the needle eye in the first try every time. Wohoo was all I could say. You'd think I won a million bucks. It just re-enforced for me that there are many ways to come to the same conclusion.

We are all talking about the needle, but the thread has to be considered too. The end should be freshly cut and I cut at an angle which makes one side of the thread smaller and sharper. I often needle the thread instead of threading the needle. This means the thread is held in my left hand- pinched between my thumb and fore finger- with a tiny bit of thread showing. The needle in my right hand is brought to the thread. This next suggestion sound gross but we all do it. Spit on the thread. If all of these efforts don't get the job done, I then spit on the needle. If the hole is filled with fluid, it will help the thread move more easily through the eye. This last suggestion is not a good idea for the sewing machine needle but the picture in my mind of someone trying to do it does make me smile. If none of these work, go eat some chocolate and try again later. Betty Ann

Just recently I purchased applique needles to use for stitching down the bindings and piecing. I wasn't sure about the short length but that part has been fine. The threading was a bit of an issue. I managed eventually but didn't enjoy the many trials before I got it. Since then I pulled out and experimented with my magnifying lamp. I had it in one position and though it worked I wasn't super excited about the effort still required. Last night I moved it to be near a different chair and threading needles there, just because it was at a different angle, was WOW. I, too, thread a bunch at a time but because I am currently taking my stitching with me for lengthy hospital visits I took a piece of doubled over felt and poke the needle with thread into it and wrap the thread around the felt to avoid a rat's nest from the bunching together. It is working well for me. By the way I settled for the applique needles because Michaels had absolutely none of the diamond wire needle threaders in stock to use with the needles I was currently using. I'm converted to applique needles and surprisingly the short length is not a problem for me.

I find that the eye of a needle is easier to see if there is something white behind it.

And I always rest my elbows on the table when threading needles.

I do quite a lot of hand embroidery and if I use the same colour a lot, I fill a pin cushion with lot of threaded needles. That way I only have to concentrate once and can then relax and stitch for hours.

sometimes I stack magnifying glasses on top of my nose! he he (learned from Caryl Bryer Fallert!)

sometimes i also look thru my Ott light AND the glasses........so far, I still get by most of the time getting even the small eyes threaded. I know the day is coming.................... :shock:

Oh yeah, I can barely tell which end of the needle is the eye and which the point! (Even with the cheater glasses on) I use the needle threader Margo mentioned, as well as one of those wire ones that you put through the eye of the needle, and then put your thread into the diamond formed by the threader. It works for even very small needle eyes. I can use it with 40 wt thread and smaller.

I have one of those Ott lights with the magnifier, when I do hand applique. Otherwise the stitches are all over the place!

Kathy

This needle threader is a really good one, but it doesn't work for the teeny-tiny needle eyes. I use mine all the time!

http://www.clover-usa.com/product/0/4073/_/Pink_Desk_Needle_Threader