Needle Threading For Aging Eyes
 

I found the most wonderful needle threader, for the sewing machine, that I just have to let those of you with tired eyes like mine. It is made in Australia, carried at Nancy's Notions and costs around $14.00. It is called Perfect Sew Universal Needle Threader and Needle Inserter. You hold the device in your left hand, I am right handed and this did not prevent me from using this, and slide the thin wire through the needle's eye. There is a loop on the wire, almost invisible, it catches the thread and you pull the wire toward the back of the machine and your needle is threaded! I love it? On the other end of the tool is a holder to hold the sewing machine needle to insert it in your machine. So far I can do that without help of a tool, but I'm glad I have it for later. I have spent up to ten minutes trying to thread my machine needle until I'm ready to scream, but with this tool it is a snap.

I find that if I put a piece of white paper behind needle, it is easier to thread. I stole this tip from someone on this board. lol

My Viking has a white part on the part where the presser foot comes down so it shows up well.

Thanks for the info. My eyes are getting worse and anything to help thread the needle is a blessing!

I just found it at ericas.com for $5. Thanks for the tip--my built-in threader isn't working on my 80/12 sized needles since I got it back from service and don't have time to take it back in.

I bought the Clover needle threader that goes on the counter top...for my hand sewing needles but I can't get it to work. I really want it to work, but it just doesn't. I hate to buy another one as it was so pricey...$15 from my LQS. I have seen her demonstrate it (hers) and I think the one I have is just defective... woe is me! LOL!

I also have a Viking with the white on the shank and also here's another trick I have found. If you wet your finger (yes from your mouth) and put it on the back of the eye of the needle it helps to "draw" the thread in much easier.
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I have a small device from my LQS you press against the needle and it threads it.

Thanks for the tip. I, too, have a Viking with the white shank but still struggle with it often.

I have the small needle threaders and have a terrible time getting the wire to go thru the needle eye. I've used the "wet finger method" too but it takes a couple of times to thread the needle. This is one of the worst parts of sewing for me, especially when using my vintage machines.

I used to have Viking that had that white behind the needle; that really helps. At that time, our Viking instructor told us it also helped to wet the thread and then hold the thread between both of your index fingers rather than between your thumb and finger to thread through he needle. It worked for me years ago when I didn't have an automatic needle threader on my machine. I still use tht method if I am at an older machine.

I use the coloured piece of paper behind the needle that someone suggested here, but I also find useful another tip that came from a Board member. That was to ensure that you are holding the thread directly in front of the needle -- often I was holding the thread slightly off to one side, and having several attempts to thread the needle.

I would take it back to LQS and ask her to thread with it, see if it is defective and if so she should replace it. If it works ask her to show you how she got it to work. I have several of them and sometimes they are a bear or the needle hole is just too small to use. Love mine.

Another trick that helps me is to use top-stitching needles--I use them for everything. The eye is bigger and so much easier to thread. I have a threader on the machine but it never works--I always manage to jam it by trying to zigzag with a straight stitch foot on, so since I found the top-stitching needles, I don't worry about threading them anymore.

I too have trouble threading needles. But I've decided that I'll take any help I can find. I have found a new product put out by Sewline that is a threader for your hand sewing needles. It was designed for size 9 - 12 needles and works GREAT. Now you'll never have to struggle to thread any needle again.

I wet my needle and it goes in very easily

I do this as well. And don't you have to be able to see the needle hole to thread the thin wire through? I don't understand how this helps?