Getting Started with E-Textiles: Threading a Needle

Once you've chosen a needle you need to thread it. Threading conductive thread isn't that much different to ordinary thread, except that the thread can be prone to fraying, so you may find the following tips useful when threading a needle.   Our conductive thread is available in 45m, 2m or 6m. Here are some simple steps to make working with conductive thread easy! Cut the tip of the thread off before starting to thread it so that it looks nice and sharp (like the bottom thread in the image below). If the needle doesn't thread on the first attempt, cut the end off again as it will probably snag and fray slightly. Hold the thread tightly very close to your fingers so that only about 2 millimetres is showing as shown below. This allows you to control the end of the thread more easily and prevents it from fraying any more. Push the end of the thread into the eye of the needle and be ready to pull it through the eye on the other side. If you find threading a needle difficult, you might find that using a needle threader helps. The image below shows the best type of needle threader to use as it is sturdy and strong. You will however need to make sure that the loop fits into the eye of your needle. You can also use the threaders that have small wire loops. They usually fit into needles with smaller eyes but they tend not to be as strong and don’t last as long. To use this type of threader, slot the loop into the eye of the needle and lay the thread over the loop. Pull the threader back through the eye of the needle and the thread will be pulled through the eye as well. The thread will be double so pull one of the ends of the loop to create a single thread.   Once your needle is threaded you're ready to move on to the next article in this series; Starting to sew.

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