How about buying layer cakes or charm packs when on sale or off ebay? Is there a LQS near you that you could rent time on an Accuquilt to do the cutting? As for threading the needle, my mom used to have some kind of little doo-hickey that helped thread needles but I don't remember what it was called. If you do trade in your machine, maybe you could find one with an automatic threader. Hope some of this helps.