I found the One Second Needle on an "As Seen on TV" display at a local Walgreen's Pharmacy. The needle is packaged with a "Bonus 130 Pc. Sewing Kit". Past experience taught me that the thread in the sewing kit wouldn't be worth much but the kit also has safety pins, straight pins, a tape measure, buttons, thread trimming scissors and a tube like case that I think will come in handy for these special sewing needles. The sewing kit was not my reason for splurging on this sewing needles kit... my curiosity was peaked by the package showing the One Second Needle as a way to fix snags so I decided to give it a try.
The entire kit was packaged in that type of packaging that is hard to get in to but can have other uses. The needles are in a familiar round case that needs to be turned to the opening in the case in order to get a needle out of the package. I did have difficulties making the case turn to get a needle out. Laying the case on a flat surface did help but it was still guesswork to make the wheel turn. My thought process would be that the needles should be in an easy to access package considering the needles are designed to over come a common sewing difficulty.
The package contains eight self threading sewing needles in a variety of lengths. All of the needles were approximately the same thickness with none of them being a thin, fine hand sewing needle.
My first attempt at threading the needle was using all purpose thread and the One Second Needle did thread extremely easily. All purpose thread worked so easily I decided to reach for button and carpet thread. My first attempt was with one of the smaller needles in the package. Button and carpet thread did not work with the self threading feature of the One Second Needle on the smaller needle so I attempted it with the largest needle in the package but that also failed to thread with button and carpet thread. My next test was with embroidery floss. Multiple strands of embroidery floss did not self thread with the One Second Needle, but I did achieve threading the One Second Needle with embroidery floss by threading single strands at a time.
Having sewn with a sewing machine Handicap or Self-Threading Needle, I was only a little concerned that the "self-threading" eye of the needle might get hung up on the threads that make up fabric, but I decided to go through my stash and try these One Second Needles on a variety of fabric. My goal in testing various fabrics was to see if the needle not only threaded the intended thread through the eye but if it would also grab the threads of the fabric.
The following are the results for each type of fabric when sewing a running stitch with the One Second Needle:
On all of the fabrics the thickness of the smallest needle in the package, did leave needle holes in the fabric.
- Satin fabric - Snags and pulls happened to the fabric.
- A heavy Polar Fleece - The needle became embedded in the fabric and I was unable to remove it.
- Sheer curtain fabric - Snags and pulls happened to the fabric and the needle did thread the threads of the fabric.
- Valor - The needle became embedded in the fabric, with fibers of the fabric threaded in to the eye of the One Second Needle, but I was able to work it back out of the fabric
- Woven cotton - no problems were experienced
- Knit fabric - did not create pulls and snags
- Polyester batting - no problem, however when tested on batting sandwiched between muslin, the needle did not glide through the fabric.
- Seersucker - Snags and pulls happened to the fabric.
- Flannel- No problems were experienced.
- Denim - No problems were experienced.
Summary:
The fabrics that did not have any problems were created with thick fibers that did not fit in the self-threading eye of the One Second Needle. The fabrics the needle created snags and pulls, were composed of fine threads and fibers that easily got stuck in the self-threading feature of the One Second Needle.
I can not endorse the One Second Needle. The fabrics that did have problems with the needle created problems that could not be overcome and I believe that the frustration levels and damage that the needle can create would be better off over-come with the use of a needle threader. ( How to Use a Needle Threader) Although this may seem like a wonderful gift for someone with eyesight that is failing, the damage is not going to be a welcome gift. I recommend putting together a sewing kit with a variety of hand sewing needles and needle threaders rather than the One Second Needle.
If someone does decide to use the One Second hand sewing needles, I strongly recommend testing the needle and thread on a scrap or in a very inconspicuous area before actually sewing with the One Second Needle. Also use caution with the needle, being sure to use the same stroke that was tested when you actually sew with the needle to prevent possible fabric damage.
As I stated earlier, the idea of repairing snags with the One Second Needle appealed to me. Any snags I would want to repair with the One Second Needle, as described on the packaging, would probably be a sweater of some form. Since I could not thread the needle with button and carpet thread or multiple stands of embroidery floss, I seriously doubt I could get the yarn to thread into the eye of the One Second Needle in order to repair a snag.
Once again I am forced to believe, "If it looks to good to be true, it probably is." is a true statement in regards to the One Second Needle.
