Threading the Needle Day is July 25
Celebrate Threading the Needle Day on July 25
Hard to believe but, July 25th is Threading the Needle Day. Aside from sticking the end of a thread into the eye of a needle, what can one do to celebrate this silly holiday? Threading the needle is not just something that tailors, seamstresses, quilters, surgeons, upholsterers and other crafters do. It is also a figure of speech which means to "walk a fine line", not to take sides, as some politicians tend to do. Be surprised at how many activities exist that involve the phrase "threading the needle."
There is more that meet's the needle's eye than threading the needle. So, how are you going to celebrate Threading the Needle Day?
Sewing has been around a long, long time
25,000 years ago
Sewing with needle and thread has been around since the Ice Age. Needles were used by prehistoric man fashioned out of bone, ivory, wood, antler to sew together fur, animal skin and bark clothing. Sewing thread used was made from sinew, plant fiber, catgut, wool and hair from domestic animals to sew together blankets, clothing and shelter. The first iron needle was found in Germany in the third century B.C. Native Americans used the needles of the agave plant and porcupine quills as needles. Silk fibers from the silk worm were spun into fine thread in China and Japan.
Mankind indeed has been threading the needle for a long, long time.
Stitching Up History
Hand Sewing My Ojibwe Wool Strap Dress by Terri and Doyle Johnson
Peasant woman threading the needle
Nostalgia at its best
LIttle girls were expected to learn how to sew and darn at an early age way back when. Cooking and sewing went hand in hand as prerequisites for future housewives. These black and white photos of a mother and a little girl depict the social values of days gone by. Sewing today is more of a hobby amongst grade schoolers and teenagers which is being revived in school.
Peasant Woman Threading a Needle 20x24 Framed Art Print by Breton, Jules
How to Thread a Needle - Having trouble threading a needle?
Types of needles
This is a sampling of hand needles that I use for different applications. The needles with the large eyes, like the tapestry needles, are used mostly for finishing up knitting projects with yarn as the thread. Tapestry needles have blunt points but can easily penetrate knitted fabric. Thinner and shorter needles with smaller eyes are used for hemming up pants or skirts and the thread used would be finer.
Gentleman threading the needle
On the cover of Saturday Evening Post - April 8, 1922
Norman Rockwell features a gentleman attempting to stick the end of a thread into the eye of a needle. He has a pair of socks resting on his right lap, so it is safe to assume that there are holes in them.
The details added by Rockwell to the artwork of the red pin cushion and the curious cat who is about to pounce on the spool of thread in the sewing box add to the human interest of the magazine cover. My calico cat, Mali, will have no problem stealing this spool and swatting it around the floor.
Threading the Needle Art Print Poster
Dual threaded needle of my babylock machine
Houdini does the "East Indian Needle Trick"
Even threading the needle needs some magic
Why would something as simple as threading a needle need a master magician like Harry Houdini to perform? Because in the 1900's sideshows, which popularized the East Indian Needle Trick, Houdini supposedly swallowed 50 to 100 needles and 20 yards of thread with a glass of water and brings them all up already threaded.
Spoiler: Find out how Houdini performed the East Indian Needle Trick
Historic Print
(M):
[Houdini performs the East Indian needle threading trick]
Sewing quick poll
Have you ever threaded a needle?
Interesting links about the use of needle and thread
- Origin of Sewing – Sewing History | Sewing Mantra
Sewing, the art of attaching together objects with a needle and thread is not new to mankind. It dates back to prehistoric era. Archaeologists believe that almost 25000 years ago, during the last ice age, man used to sew together fur, hide, skin and - The Hand Sewing Needle
Even a small thing like a hand sewing needle has had a role in the history of humans. Some facts and history about the hand sewing needle: - HISTORY OF SEWING THREADS, BARBOUR, CLARK, COATS, SYLKO, SEWALOT
A brief history of sewing thread by Alex Askaroff - Using a Needle Threader - Threading a Needle
Ditch the lick 'em and stick 'em approach to threading your tapestry needles. Needle threaders come in various shapes and sizes, and make threading any needle quick and easy.
Uplifting, heartwarming, a life's lesson for all
Tessa and Madelyn were the best of friends until they were twelve years old in a small town of New Bern, Connecticut. Tessa came from a normal upbringing, but Madelyn was raised by a domineering and abusive grandmother. A misunderstanding broke up their friendship and decades later, both got married and moved on with their lives. The economic downturn created havoc in Tessa's financial and marital life and she and her husband returned to New Bern to make a go of his farm and her herbal apothecary shop. Madelyn's marriage to a Wall Street executive fell apart after her husband was thrown in prison for running a Ponzi scheme. She too returns to her hometown to the dilapidated cottage she inherited from her late grandmother which she needed to turn into a Bed and Breakfast inn. In order to get her sanity back and get away from her crumbling life, Madelyn signs up at the the Cobbled Court Quilt Shop where needed the support of the circle of quilters. It is at the quilt shop that Tessa and Madelyn meet again.
Have you ever done this yoga pose?
"Thread the Needle" Yoga pose - Relieves shoulder, neck and back pains
The thread the needle Yoga poses stretches the neck, shoulders and back muscles. It increases the breathing exercises and opens up the hips and loosens the muscles in the back, in the long run reduces pain and tension.
Relax and stretch
More Thread the Needle Yoga poses
Asana Yoga - Threading the Needle to stretch your muscles
Have you ever done Yoga poses?
Keep your body nimble with Yoga lessons - Release stress and sleep better
Threading the Needle Pool trick
in a game of billiards
Have you ever tried to thread the needle in a game of pool? Threading the needle is a pool trick where the cue ball is shot with precision so that it travels through a narrow path to its intended destination, which could be the pocket or to hit another ball.
Learn how to do this here: Threading the Needle (by Max Eberle)
Chris Consani Game of Fate James Dean Elvis Presley Marilyn Monroe Humphrey Bogart Art Poster
24x36 Music Poster Print, 36x24
Billiards poll - Threading the needle in a pool game
Have you ever played a game of pool?
Mini pool table to practice threading the needle tricks - Fun for the whole family, including the cat
Wolverine Achievement:Threading the Needle - Get the ultimate bronze trophy
In the video game, X-Men Origins:Wolverine, on Playstation 3, the Threading the Needle Bronze Trophy is received if you can get Wolverine to fly through the O ring in the Sentinel Boss battle.
Wolverine Threading the Needle
Have you ever played X-Men Origins:Wolverine
Learn the "thread the needle" hoop tricks
This is the poi hooping trick done with two hoops called "thread the needle."
Threading the needle hoops
Have you ever done the threading the needle with hoops?
Do the hoop threading the needle exercises - Tone your muscles and lose weight
Poi tutorial on how to Thread the Needle - Another great way to celebrate Threading the Needle Day
How to make your own sock poi - then you can thread the needle with old socks
Poi threading the needle
Have you ever done poi threading the needle?
Threading the needle while whitewater rafting
Another usage for the phrase
Threading the needle is a slang term for a difficult maneuver in white water rafting where the raft has to be steered through a narrow passage between two rocks. The passage has to be tight enough that there is no margin for error in order to qualify as threading the needle. A slight movement to the left or right could get the raft wedged between the rock and a hard place.
Leisure Wall Decals White Water Rafting
24 inches x 18 inches
Peel and Stick Removable Graphic
Watch these whitewater rafters squeeze through two giant rocks - Takes sharp eyes and dexterity
Whitewater rafting poll - Threading the Needle between two rocks
Have you ever gone whitewater rafting?
Let the kids have some fun
How to Play Thread the Needle Game