LindaR Sometimes I have a hard time getting the needle to go through the thread, but keep trying. Try with a thicker thread, or you might try jiggling the place in the thread that you want the needle to go through with your thumbs and first fingers. That might loosed the twist of the thread a little and allow the needle to go through. Go farther than an inch from the end of the thread so it won't be loose enough to pull out. I just thought of this and will try it myself to see if it works better for me. I hope it works better, because sometimes I really struggle to get the needle in the thread. I hope this helps us both!! :) :)