Embroidery

Did you know that DMC has free embroidery and cross-stitch patterns to download? www.dmc.com/uk/patterns-5041/ They seem to change the ones available frequently so you may need to grab one when you see it. They do send you emails about the latest.

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Hi tosca60. If you look on Embroiderers Guild website it will give you list of groups, also Stitch and Embroidery magazine have info re exhibitions etc.

I have got needles that are called 'self-threading' .
They have a split at the top of the eye....you just pull the thread downwards through the (almost invisible) split.
Works really well. I bought the pack of assorted sizes from my local wool/craft shop.

and learned to pass thread over a beeswax block making it easier to pass through the needle eye. It works!!!!

I can't help with your query Tosca but I am delighted to say I start an embroidery class on Saturday

Hello, I am new to embroidery and looking to join a group that welcomes beginners. Are there any in/around Glasgow?

Agreed, Humpty! Knitting and fluffy kittens all the way.

That is so true humpty

Isn't it more fun than politics, though, which always ends in tears

I can't believe I'm debating on the Internet about threading a needle.

Oh, that's funny, Bathsheba - I find doubling the thread works for sewing threads but not so much for wools! How weird.

I can't believe I'm debating on the Internet about threading a needle.

Bathsheba, I agree - I always try to sew thread with a needle with a longer eye! Want to try that threading trick but suspect it won't work for me...

I find that works with wool humpty, but not with sewing thread and a small-eyed needle - the double thickness is simply too thick to go through a very tiny eye.
And sorry to report back that even with cotton thread I couldn't get that trick to work SueD . I'm extremely of those who can do it!

Sure I'm teaching GM to suck eggs, but I find easiest is to wrap end of thread around needle to thread a loop through (i.e. double thickness: easier to see and no problem with threading ends).

Ooh, good, Izabella! I tried it with knitting yarn last night and it worked.

Threading those tiny ends is very anger-making, I agree. Grrr!

Yay Suedomin that really works on longer threads so thanks. Still struggling with a shorter one though when I already am using the thread. One thing at a time............

Thanks Bathsheba looks like I'll be sticking to my flimsy needle threader and just replacing it when it's had enough use. Will be watching to see if anyone manages the trick suedonim has linked.

Ah yes you could be right about polyester thread. I’m going to try again tomorrow with some cotton thread and report back ?

Aw, shame! I think the article gives some tips for if it doesn't work first time. I suspect it might not work so well with polyester thread, as they're so slippery.

Oh and I've just tried that threading trick SueDonim, but couldn't get it work. Guess I'm just unlucky with tricks and gadgets, haha!

I find holding the thread in a pair of serger tweezers (the kind with a curved/angled tip) really helps - also make sure you hold the needle in front of something white. When I'm threading my sewing machine I always slip a small piece of white paper or card just behind the needle (my auto threader broke )
Moocow I bought a needle threader gadget from Hobbycraft a couple of years ago and couldn't get it work for me at all. Not sure if it was the same as the Pram one though.

Try this? I only saw it recently and haven't tried it out yet myself. You've nothing to lose, though!

metro.co.uk/2018/04/06/simple-needle-threading-trick-will-change-life-7445524/

Oh I love doing embroidery. I even have an O level!

Needle threaders help me but they tend to be flimsy but do not cost too much. I am thinking of upgrading to one of these www.johnlewis.com/prym-needle-fairy-automatic-needle-threader/p3272188