I have a new favorite: a "cheater" needle. It is also called a self-threading needle. When burying thread ends after machine quilting, this needle is much faster than my previous method of using a heavier thread and using it to "lasso" the ends I want to pull thru. The cheater has a notched end above the eye, with a slot that connects into the eye. You pull the thread ends down into the notch and then they slide thru the slot and into the eye. I have had some trouble using it with "Sulky" thread, as that thread is rather fragile, but in general, I think it's great. Brand is Clover. I bought mine from Leah Day's Day Style Designs (
http://www.daystyledesigns.com/quiltshop.htm). I looked at our local shops, but no one had even heard of this.