Wednesday, November 07, 2007

As long as we're talking sewing tricks


Ok, here's another "am I the last to know this?" trick: when threading a needle, it really does work to wet your needle instead of your thread! I read or heard this tip a while ago and didn't believe it; then I tried it on my bumpy plane ride to Houston while sewing buttons on the samples. (Nothing like the last minute, right?) Something about capillary action drawing the thread through the hole in the needle or some such explanation. Very nifty.

Hmm. I think I may have one more trick up my sleeve.

17 comments:

  1. I heard this on Simply Quilts years ago but never knew the reason that it worked! Can't wait for the next trick.

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  2. I will need to try this the next time I'm threading needles!! It sounds bizarre but I will definitely try!

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  4. We miss you all too. We'll be back, God willing, on Saturday!

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  5. I didn't know either of these tricks.
    Thanks!

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  6. Woah. I didn't know this one either!! Gosh... that would save a lot of frustration with the stupid needle threaders... hehe.

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  7. Anonymous10:06 AM

    I will definitely have to try this! I have a hard time threading needles. Thank you!

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  8. They let you take needles on the plane? Wow... and I thought they were being paranoid! :) Maybe I have read about needlepoint being permitted... or not. Not sure.
    Cool trick, I'll need to try!

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  9. Hmm, I never knew this. I must give it a try.

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  10. Ponyknit, not only can you take needles on the plane--you can take a scissors as long as the blade is shorter than 4", but check the restrictions before you go. I always bring my embroidery scissors and a selection of needles, and I've never had a problem. Cheers!

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  11. Anonymous11:23 AM

    You are just a wealth of useful knowledge of late! Thanks!

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  12. Anonymous12:52 PM

    Great tip! As I get older the whole threading the needle thing is getting harder. By the look of your booth, no one could ever tell anything was last minute! It was lovely meeting you.

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  13. Never heard that one- I'll have to give it a try!

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  14. can you take... knitting needles?

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  15. Kelzuki, I think you can bring knitting needles, but you should probably check with your airline beforehand. I've always traveled with mine, but I usually knit with bamboo, so it's not really a problem. Cheers!

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  16. No, you're not the last to know-- I'd never even heard that one before! I'll have to try that out.

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  17. ! Another great tip. I showed the spool trick to my friend Martine who remains convinced it's not *supposed* to pull apart like that. Some of my spools are very stubborn; another has some kind of diagram in the inner plastic that I can't figure out--I feel like I'm doing the puzzle from a beer cap (can't remember the brand name of the beer).

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