We have this fun calendar with crazy days and holidays listed, and imagine my delight when I saw Thread the Needle Day was coming up. And here it is! I made a special little project just for today. Are you ready? Here she is!
A needle threader! That you can make and love. What? You're wondering who would actually love a needle threader? Seriously. Look at that face and try not to love her. Rarely do I use a threader, relying on my eyesight that is only going to last me so long. But this one is cute enough to convince me to save my eyes!
Here's what you need:
Felt in tan plus another color (I recommend wool)
Embroidery floss
Super fine wire (I believe that fine fishing line also works)
Craft Glue
Note: The wire I used came in a kit years ago, so I don't have specifics on the gauge. But you can see from comparison to the other items here that it's really fine and on a tiny spool!
Cut a piece of felt to 1 x 3 inches. Cut two pieces of tan felt to 1-1/4 x 3/16 inches.
Fold the larger piece in half, then make two small holes along the fold line. (I used this punch...I love it! You could also use a large needle.)
Stitch a little face, if you want, then add some lines of running stitches to act as thread. Yes, my lines are a different color than the spool. Yes, I like it that way!
Cut a piece of wire or fishing line and tie it through the holes. Leave a loop that is about 1 inch long, then securely twist and/or knot the ends on the wrong side of the felt.
Apply some craft glue to one half of the felt piece, then fold it closed.
Glue the tiny tan strips of felt to the top and bottom to finish off the spool. It's a good idea to place this under a heavy book for a little while as it dries.
To use your new needle threader, bend the wire just enough to poke it through the eye of your needle. Slip a strand of thread or embroidery floss through the loop of wire, then pull it through the eye of the needle.
Hey! You just threaded the needle on Thread the Needle Day!
Mollie, you are so inventive! What a beautiful project, even if you don't make it as a needle threader.
ReplyDeleteI love it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I totally need a needle threader that doesn't get lost in my craft bag--this would be it! I'm definitely making one.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, because my eyesight is not what it used to be!
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I going to make one for myself!
ReplyDeleteCute! I don't think I ever knew about needle threaders until just now, maybe I need one :)
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh! so cute!!!!!
ReplyDeletelove it!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG SOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteExceedingly cute. The other threaders are so small that they are easy to lose. You wouldn't want to lose this one.
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant and adorable idea .. Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! (bangs forehead with hand) Why didn't I think of that???!!!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet Mollie!! You have such a creative touch to all your adorable creations! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteawesome! great idea..
ReplyDeleteLove it
ReplyDeleteI need to start using one of these because my eye sight isn't getting any better.
ReplyDeleteVintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
Cute! I've never even thought about making my own needle threader before but I definitely going to give this a shot.
ReplyDeleteMollie...I think I decided this is the absolute cutest thing you have made (that I've seen)! I love it so much!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have to confess, I think this is one of my favorites that I've made!
DeleteI have bunch of store brought needle threaders. I am going to use this idea to cover those up so I'm not digging for them at the bottom on the sewing box.
ReplyDeleteI don't use a needle threader but I may just have to make one of these cuties!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. greate idea..
ReplyDeleteHave you thought about doing giveaways for the awesomely cute things you make? For some of us wanna-be-crafty-but-I'm-too-busy mamas, you would make our day! Love, love, love checking your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI did that once, but it's been a while...yes! I'll do it again soon! Thanks!
DeleteThis is a great idea. I break those little metal needle threaders in just two or three uses so this little cutie will be a real saver.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAwwwwwwwwwwww!
ReplyDeleteYes, I like this, I always hurt myself with the metal ones (where the wire sticks out at the back?) so this is great!
Cute! and sooo useful!! thank you from someone who needs needle threaders, and is frustrated that they usually break so easily.
ReplyDeleteSilvergran
it would be cute to sew or glue a little alligator clip to the bottom or side-- so you could clip it to your lapel or craft bag.
ReplyDeleteDIY Needle Threader is so cute. Awesome idea. I like this. I will add something more in it. Thanks for giving the idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I'm making this! I bought one from the store and it broke the first time I used it :/
ReplyDeleteThis is a great craft to make and sell for clubs bazaar and craft sales! Thanks!!!
If anybody is having trouble finding the wire, it's "beading wire" or you can find it as wire for tying fishing flies (!) at a big sporting goods shop. People should band together--you could make a whole bunch of threaders from one spool of wire. You could make different shapes! I love the clip idea. And thank you, I love the original idea, also. (Jenn in Albuquerque)
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna make this. I always need a needle threader for embroidery floss!
ReplyDeleteSoooo cute! I want to make several.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn (in Albuquerque), we may be neighbors. (Sandy in Albuquerque()
Oh, and I'm always losing mine (I use dental floss threaders), so this is a great way to keep track of them. Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great idea. I can't wait to make my own... It's one of those "big little things" that we say: "why did anyone made it before"??
ReplyDeleteCute! What a great needle threader! Who would want one from the store after seeing this!
ReplyDeleteLove this !! I am making one soon
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea, and much better than the needle threaders that you buy as they break so easily at least these are beautiful and long lasting needle threaders. I willhave to make some. Love and hugs Dianne
ReplyDeleteThat's smart and cute, thanks!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea! its hard to thread needles because the thread frays/threaders come apart. So now i can solve the problem lol
ReplyDeleteThis is really an awesome idea; I don't know how many of those little plastic or tin needle threaders I've gone through! Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and cute
ReplyDeletePhenomenal. I had a needle threader years ago and now I need one. Thanks for an ingenious idea
ReplyDeletelove this as i also break those flimsy tin ones and looking at the spool of wire you used it looks like tiger tail which is used for beading
ReplyDeletebrilliant ,just what i needed . Thanks a ton
ReplyDeleteWe did our interpretation of your brilliant little needle threader over at http://dashaina.com/2015/12/monster-purse-shaped-threaders/. Thanks for the inspiration Mollie!
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest and cleverest!!!
ReplyDeletejust found out you can use steel wool as wire for threading needles. I find that floral wire works so well with most of the smallest beads, with this idea you could use many different wires, I love it. I also read that you can use copper wire stripped from an old cord! :)
ReplyDelete