(A blind carbon copy was sent to 9 users of Gmail, because my AOL does not clear through the Arachne server to them.  If you are using the Digest form of Arachne, and you received this directly from me, please let me know so I'll not keep you on list to receive a bcc.)  David, you made a valid point.  Back in the 1950s those of us who were around then learned these things at home or in Home Economics classes.  For decades, Home Ec usually has not been offered to students in the U.S. and probably in other nations.  Younger Arachne members probably never learned the basics of sewing.  Susan Hottle's direction to fold thread over a needle's shank and force the pinched fold through the needle eye works well, but not for all threads - sometimes a fold can be too bulky.  No need to make a paper threader for Pearl cotton and similar threads.  The following is repeated for Arachne newbies.    An embroidery tour of Scotland in the 1980s included a day at the Coats and Clarks manufacturing facility, where patterns were developed and made up for photography and promotion.  We were talking in the coach, and the public relations woman from C and C had never learned how to swiftly thread Pearl cotton into a needle.  I showed her, and she began to dance in the aisle.  That was a good lesson - it proved thread manufacturing experts sometimes do not know how their products are used.   Directions for any thread similar to Pearl cotton / Coton perlé.  Fold the thread end over the soft pad of index finger of non-dominant hand and hold beneath (along with thread from spool) semi-firmly with thumb and middle finger.  With dominant hand, align needle north / south with the thread and rub the polished side eye of needle against until the thread pops through.  This may take 3 tries to perfect how tightly the thread must be held and then released, but you will never forget.  No more spit or biting thread to make it squeeze through eye.    If you and others make needle lace or forms of embroidery like Hardanger with Pearl cotton, please teach threading to them.  You will all dance.  Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center  In a message dated 12/12/2017 9:46:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
 My mother taught us this and said it was the way a blind person could thread a needle (that was back in the 50s)!!   David in Ballarat, AU - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
