I love mettlers waxed hand quilting thread I have tried several brands and this one is at the top of my list. YLI is my second choice.
John James quilting needles( (I don't care for the big eye) Roxanne are excellent. A new quilter I start my class off with a size 8 and when they are comfortable with it I suggest they change to a size 9 or 10.
Thread your needle then cut your thread and knot it.
Clover has the most wonderful little" Desk Needle Threader" cost 14.00 .I had a blind gentleman (he was a quilter) in the Qs he was sharing that his family had to thread his needles I workded with him a short time and he left so excited He could thread his own needles with the Desk Needle T.
Good Luck!