NatalieF

I accidentally discovered a way to make threading your needle much easier!

With the changing of the seasons, my lips are always dry, so I slapped on some lip balm. When I went to thread my needle, I slipped the end of the thread between my lips and put lip balm on it rather than moistening it with saliva. I stiffened the thread just that little tiny bit enough to thread like a dream. Any wax-based balm would work, such as ChapStick, Burt's Bees, EOS, etc.... I now have a lip balm next to my machine and put some on before I start sewing.

I hope this can help someone else.

tessagin

Great idea. Many have it in their pocket or purse when they leave the house. Great to have on hand for the "go' projects like hexies and yoyos. I have the little blue heaven thingy and bees wax.

humbird

I happened on to this trick when doing hexies for my hexagon quilts. Am doing some embroidery now, and it helps with floss also.

cassiemae

Wow I will be doing that from now on and thanks for the tip.

Kitsie

I will try that today!! Thanks.

Pennyhal

I usually have lipstick on and that works too! Only have to be careful to cut the tip of the thread off so that you don't get lipstick all over the place. Bees wax works too.

NJ Quilter

I use thread heaven when hand sewing...never thought about the same concept for threading my machine needles. ALWAYS have lip balm in my pocket. Will have to give that a try. Thanks for the tip!

Painiacs

Will have to try this!! Thanks

jmoore

Since I don't wear lip stuff...I think I'll keep my container of Thread Heaven close to my machine. I took a sewing class this past weekend and the instructor said when you lick polyester thread, it actually poofs it up rather than making it flat...she also suggested to cut your thread on an angle for easier threading. She had us try putting a small piece of paper (or business card) behind our machine needle so you could see the eye better. All fun tidbits.

quiltybarb

It will certainly help me...thank you...