try 100 wt threads...the silks come in 100 wt...much finer thread, easily goes through those tiny needle eyes. there is 100 wt cotton's, poly, rayon...you should be able to find the colors you need in a finer thread. last spool of thread i bought (at Joannes) that said...for hand quilting was so thick!...it was string not thread...
i usually use 40-50 wt threads for regular sewing and 80-100 wt for all hand work.
and wetting the needle really works well. i use that techinique all the time