How to Thread a Needle

Basic sewing is an important skill to learn. Most people should learn how to sew on a button or repair small tears. Knowing how to thread a needle is the first step to any hand sewing project, regardless of scale. This is a vital skill that everyone should know how to do safely.

When threading a needle, take care to avoid injury via its sharp point or from the sewing scissors. Threading a needle for the first time should not take longer than 5 minutes, and is a task that becomes faster with practice.

1. A sewing needle
2. Your thread of choice
3. Sewing scissors (if you do not have sewing scissors, a sharper pair of regular ones will work)

Cut a piece of thread thread to your desired length.

Wet one end of the thread to prevent fraying. You can do this with water, as I have here, or if you are feeling brave, with spit.

Take your sewing needle and line the hole, or "eye," at the top of it with the wet end of the thread.

Carefully guide the wet end of the thread through the eye.

Once through the eye, pull the thread until the needle is positioned on it near the middle of the length of thread.

Take the ends of the thread and tie them into a knot.

You are now able to use the threaded needle to safely start your sewing project.