Originally Posted by gale
The place where I bought mine said to use Schmetz brand but i think any standard needles should fit. I think the flat side goes to the right, not the back, and you thread it from right to left.
I have 3 FWs. One from Graham Forsdyke, and he sent Schmetz needles with it. You thread it from right to left, as Gale said, but I thought the flat of the needle faces left. I'm not at home to check. It should fit only one way though, I think. Dave McCullom has a great, exhaustive, book on Featherweight maintenance.