# &$%! punch needles, how do they work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 21, 2010, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punch-needles-how-do-they-work/561413 "2010-11-21T04:33:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dotchan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@dotchan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dotchan)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punch-needles-how-do-they-work/561413/1 "2010-11-21T04:33:09Z")
So I got it in my head to play around with embroidery for a while (long story) and, being lazy I had the Clever Plan to get one of those punch needles. …except I can’t get the darn thing to work. I so much as tug too hard on one end and the whole thing unravels. I dunno if I’m threading wrong, sewing wrong, using the wrong gauge thread, or using the wrong kind of cloth. Help me, Dopers, you’re my only hope! ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punch-needles-how-do-they-work/561413/2 "2010-11-21T04:46:12Z")
Hum, I don’t know much about it, but I am given to understand that punch needle is more difficult and finicky than standard embroidery – not a labor saver at all. I mean, _everything_ is harder than cross-stitch. This instruction set might answer some of your questions – > **[prettyimpressivestuff.com](http://www.prettyimpressivestuff.com/punchneedle.htm)** > > Redwork Embroidery Designs,Dirty Pretty Things,Embroidered Quilt Patterns,Easy Patchwork Quilt Patterns,Online Baby Quilt Patterns,Pretty Lady,Baby Blanket Embroidered,Free Baby Quilting Patterns,Embroidered Baby Quilt,Free Jellyroll Quilt Patterns