Singer and other Needle Threaders

Hello

I have now got to the age when I cannot look at anything close up without wearing reading glasses, its a complete pain the butt.  So into the realms of needle threaders I wander.

First the most basic Singer needle threader which works perfectly fine using a fine wire loop system.

The next two are Singer needle threaders for threading your sewing machine, I don't really need these quite yet.  Having threaded up so many times, think I can do it without looking.  These have tiny weeny hooks that you push through the eye of the needle, hook the thread and pull it back through.

Complete with original instructions, apparently you can buy replacement hooks from your Singer Sewing Shop!  Bet you can't now.

It's hand sewing needles I have a problem with, especially my dinky quilting Size 9 needles I use for English paper piecing. Their eyes are tiny, but I do like using these needles. Have tried out a large eye quilting needle which worked OK. Most of the time I do still thread by without a threader but I do use them when the light isn't so good.

This combination needle threader and scissors sharpener is a real handy thing to have.  The sharpener is great, gets a good sharp edge on all sizes of scissors.  The threader is the fine wire loop type.

 This one is a Blindfold needle threader.  The needle is placed in the top, you press the plunger which pushes a fine hook through the eye, then you loop your thread over the hook and release the plunger which pulls the thread back through the eye.  This one works well, even threading the Size 9 needles with ease.

Another design of threader is to push the thread through the needle with a sharp point. This is probably a 50s/60s version.

Needle in the top, press the lever down to move the fine point to push the thread through the eye.  This one comes with a thread cutter and a spindle for a bobbin of thread.  When using this and the Blindfold, give the needle a quick pull to test if the point has gone through the eye, if the needle comes out, try again.  Make sure you have the eye in facing the right direction.

Finally, this dinky thimble.  I just love this idea.  When I bought it, the little slider was stuck at the side so I couldn't work out what it was there for.  I played around with it and got it to move and up popped a threader.  Never seen one like this before.  Not sure if I will use it though as I would hate to break the wire.

So another sewing related collection! OOOps

Cheers
Sharon

Steam Train Dog

Hello

We've had a little steam train holiday and of course, Buzz came with us.

He is getting an old chap now so had to be lifted onto the lovely trains which wasn't his favourite thing, the lifting not the trains.  He has been on so many over the years, he is not bothered at all by the noise or steam.

"If I stare at Dad long enough, he will give me a biscuit?"

"This waiting for trains is a bit boring"

First class carriage, "pity I am too old to jump up on the plush seats".

The signage around the stations were brill.  Not sure what Brain-Fag is but I am sure I have it!

Had a ride on this funicular railway at Bridgenorth.  Very smooth short journey saved walking up a steep hill.

Pretty station

Steaming, Buzz didn't bat an eyelid when we got engulfed.

Had a walk down the side of the track.

As you can see, he gets really stressed!  Just joking, he was so laid back.

A choo choo train.

I would love a signal box in my garden to use as a sewing workshop, do you think they would notice if I nicked it!

Back to work now, loads of grass to cut.  Hey ho.

Cheers

Sharon