DIY Needle Threader

It’s always a feeling of great accomplishment to look at something, have that thought, and actually be able to follow through. While I was shopping the other day I came across some adorable needle threaders. I reached for them, then stopped, caught up in the brilliant idea that I could engineer something myself that looked much the same. And I did! True mine are not made from plastic, but with my access to the Dallas Makerspace that could certainly change as new ideas form. I made my threaders from supplies I already owned with the exception of the beading wire. After a couple of trial pieces made with a thicker gauge wire I found what I believe to be the best one for the job.

Supplies:
1. Turbo Glue (or any other tough crafting glue)
2. Rubber Cement
3. Wire Bending Tool
4. .3mm Beading Wire
5. Thin Cardboard (another use for that recycled cardboard!)
6. Scrapbook Papers
7. Paper Punch
8. Binder Clips
9. Scissors

Step 1:

Step One:

With your paper punch, cut out two piece from the thin cardboard and the scrapbook paper. You should have four pieces when completed. I found it best to use a punch no smaller than a half inch wide. This helps give you something to grip when threading.

Step 2:

Step Two:

Using the rubber cement affix the scrapbook papers to their cardboard counter parts. One side will be cardboard and one will have your paper (see image above). Let dry fully

Step 3:

Step Three:

Cut a piece of your wire off (approx 2.5 inches). You can cut longer or shorter depending on the look you are going for, but I found this size to be the best for bending easily. Beading wire is harder to form into a shape which helps when threading a needle because it will retain its shape when you pull it back through the eye, unlike thicker gauges that get smooshed.

Step 4:

Step Four:

Bend your piece in half and use your wire bender to crimp that end into a point.

Step 5:

Step Five:

About a half inch down from the fold point create two more creases so that your piece creates a triangle with overlapping ends.

Step Six:

Holding your thumb on the point where your wire crosses twist your ended around each other to form one stem.

Step 6:

Step Seven:

Place glue on both pieces of your punched paper, on the cardboard side (you want the pretty paper facing out) and then line up your wire piece so that the stem is in the glue and the triangle sticks out from the base of the shape.

Step 7:

Step Eight:

Use the binder clips to put pressure on your two halves. This till give you a tight bond and keep the wire from moving around, potentially slipping out from between the two pieces.

Once it’s fully dried you have a reusable needle threader! And a customized one to boot!