I have a Babylock Imagine. You need to make sure you move the lever on the threader to L when you thread the left needle and to R when you thread the right. I was told to then hold the thread tightly, horizontally against the needle, then release the button. That way, you don't have to actually see the little hook. It is kind of hard to explain in words - my machine came with a DVD that shows how to do it. If your machine didn't come with one, maybe your LQS could loan you one!