Embroidery machine help please
 

I hope you all can help. I have a Brother 779 that I have not used for several years and now I would like to start using it again but......I cannot figure out how to insert a new needle. It is difficult to get my fingers into that small space (I must have the fattest fingers around!) and I cannot seem to find the opening to insert the needle. I guess I am hoping someone has some tips for me. It really shouldn't be this hard, should it? Am I the only one who has this problem?

maybe this video will help...it's generic but a very close up view... good luck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot9fCAd11t4

I use a needle inserter like this one to remove the fat finger problem:
http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-247-Need...dp/B000YQISB8/

Basically it holds the needle in an upright position (you drop the needle into the hole). A pair of long tweezers can help hold the needle in the correct orientation while you are searching for the hole. (Clamping tweezers work too.)
http://www.amazon.com/item4ever-TWE6...dp/B0012DNMXG/

Were you able to get the old needle out completely? If so, the hole should be there. :)

Edit: I don't know about your machine, but many take needles with a flat side in which case the flat side needs to be facing the back.

Thanks for the video - I know the how of replacing the needle, just can't seem to do it. I was able to get the old needle out entirely and easily so I don't think the hole is blocked. I will look for the needle threading tool locally before ordering from Amazon. I may even try to find something like a dental mirror to help me find the hole. If all else fails I will take the machine to a dealer and have them insert the needle. Then I am never changing the needle again!

Never say never.....that needle will have to be replaced and before you know it, if you are doing embroidery. I have the long tweezers and find it much easier to hold the needle in them and it usually inserts very quickly. Not so much when I use my fingers and they aren't fat at all. lol

Edited to add: You can take off the pressure foot and use any flat mirror to see where the needle goes.

did you try to hit the up down needle button make sure the needle bar is at the highest postion

I use hemostats to hold my needle on my embroidery machine, I bought them cheap off Ebay

can you use a mirror to see where the hole is?

Sometimes I put the machine on it's side with pressure foot down, that gives a little more room, and use a needle nose plier. It has little ridges and grips better.

Thanks for all the suggestions - I have tried most of them without success unfortunately. I have ordered the needle holder and an angled mirror from Amazon and dug out my old pickups from my nursing days. Something has got to work! I'll let you know when I succeed.