Funny that question should come up today. I just brought my Bernina back from the sewing center, for it's annual check up. I told them I wanted to see how the automatic threader works on my sewing machine. Two of the gals working there, went over that, had no luck, but one got her finger in the way, may have bent it. The repairman said he tested that 10 times, during the repair. I believe he did, but some part isn't lining up or is bent, so next service call, I will get the newer version installed. I can see that it really takes some practice.