How about taking the needle out, thread it leaving a long tail and put the needle back in the machine? You would be able to have the needle closer to see the hole to thread it and put it back in your machine already threaded. I think this would be quicker than trying for an hour to thread it!

Place some white paper or fabric behind the needle, you shouldn't have any trouble after that. An hour of trying does seem extreme. I'd get an eye test if I were you.

I keep a small led flashlight beside all my machines. The light from it makes it so much easier especially on my
long arm and big embroidery machine.

all good advice but I would really say get your eyes checked that happened to me and they found I had macular degeneration and thank heavens in this day and age there is treatment for it if caught early they cannot undo the damage but they can stop it from advancing good luck

I too, had both eyes operated for cataracts..I can't believe how bright everything appears! My distance is 20/20 plus!! I need cheaters, they are really cheap....please make an appointment to see an eye professional. If it is cataracts, you'll be amazed at the difference after surg.

I have always believed whatever it is - I can do it! To admit defeat was very difficult. :p

When I had cataract surgery, I had one eye corrected for near-sighted and one eye corrected for far-sighted. That way, I can get by without glasses 99% of the time. I can drive as well as read without wearing glasses! When I am doing up-close work, I use cheaters because that helps to magnify the work. I do plan to get a pair of glasses that will correct my eyes in the opposite manner for intermediate vision. The main thing is I really don't have to have them. It has been wonderful not having to wear glasses after wearing them for 30 years.

I have a very bad eye since my cataract surgery so I understand completely. I use a large magnifying glass, have my thread cut very sharp, and take a piece of white paper with nothing on it to hold behind the needle. I can usually get my Bernina threaded then. Good Luck, I do understand the difficulty.

I lost the sight in both eyes due to a genetic disease. With surgery (cornea transplant) they were able to restore the sight in one eye. I have a magnifier mounted on my machine and a halogen light to assist. No more excuses from me!

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is eye dryness. When we sew, read, or do anything that requires concentration, we don't blink as much as normal. Longer periods of time between blinking causes the natural tears to dry and vision to become blurry. I have a bottle of artificial tears by my computer, sewing machine, bedside, in the truck....etc to use whenever my eyes get dry. When severely dry my eye doctor suggested placing 2 drops in each eye every hour. This simple suggestion has helped tremendously and I can thread a needle in my machine without asking for help. Any preservative free eye drop for contact use will work but please don't use the Visine type drops, those cause a whole nother set of issues.

I keep a magnifying glass handy just for this task. If I can see it, I can thread it!

ALL my sewing machines have threaders built in. But I can still thread a needle because I do it under the Magnifier!
MaryKatherine

my machine has the threader too but one must remember how to use it! I like to thread the stilly needle myself. just habit. sometimes I do wet the back of the needle. even tried the white card trick. I just had cataract surgery but haven't really noticed threading being better. Just that everything is very bright!!! Still, have your eyes checked out when you can and in the mean time, get that needle threaded what ever way works best for you.

I use a peice of white paper, small behind needle and makes it easier to thread needle. Coulnd not do it otherwise and I had cateract surgery less than a year ago. Don't have great light on sewing needle area.

Both of my machines thread from front to back, so I feel the grove in the needle and run my thread down that until it slips into the eye. As said before be sure it is cut sharp and not frayed on the end.

If no other solution is available, thread several needles and put them in a pin cushion. It may be awkward, but it would get the job done.

I can't remember what they are called but I bought them at Amazon its a gear gear thing that has magnifying lenses you can just lift them up to see normally & then down to sew. I'm sure someone can post a picture of what I'm talking about lol. It reminds me of a miners hat minus the hat part for their lighting. My daughter always laughs when she sees me wearing it but I love it.

Thanks for the idea, I remember seeing something like that at Harbor Freight the other day. I will check them out, I will be back there in the next week or so and I think I have a 25% off coupon. I have progressive bifocals and see better up close without them, I usually sew without them. I am one of those people who can't wear them, I will go back to 2 pair of glasses when I get my new prescription next year.

I used to take forever with my old Singer, but 3 1/2 years ago Jim got me a new little Brother SQ9000. It has a feature that will thread the needle for me. I love it!!

I use looper threaders from Jo-Anns. works great.

I just gave my DH a big kiss. He enjoyed the attention and reward! :thumbup:

I just gave him a big kiss from all of us. We need more heroes like him. He is sure enjoying himself. :thumbup:

I feel your pain as I wait for my cataract surgery. Fortunately for me, my Janome has a needle threader.

Dimming is an indication of cataracts. You can try all the suggestions given but only surgery will correct the dimming. Insuance covers the surgeries (one eye is done one week and the second usually a week later)

I am great at threading the needle but as I move my hand frequently unthread.
I recently had to have my glasses repaired so I went to 'Poundland' and purchased a couple of glasses at different strengths. One pair I used for threading my needle I still use them over my repaired pair as they act as magnifying glasses.

I have the beginning of cataracts so things are not quite into focus and it takes more light than I used to require. This is what I do with more success than any other things I've tried. First of all I have an Ott light directed on the needle area. I use a piece of wide white elastic (or anything white, but the elastic is firm and just works well) held behind my needle so the eye is easily seen. I make a fresh cut on the thread AT AN ANGLE. Someone else was sharp in saying to wet the needle. Some threads puff up when wet. If you do wet the thread, pinch it flat before inserting.
Good luck. Now if someone could help me thread those tiny hand quilting needles. I can see the hole and I can see the thread, but I have a hard time getting them together.;)

How about some reading glasses for close up?

I just used a "tween" needle to attach my label to a quilt. It was a challenge. I learned some time ago that when you trim the end of your needle, snip the end of the thread at an angle. This always works for me and "yes" I do wet my thread. Also, be sure to use the easiest thread to go into your needle. I find that some sewing threads are very thick and have little nubs on them. Coats and Clark thread is especially easy to thread. Just sayin'. Good luck.

My machines, too, are self threading. However, I always know when it's time to get new glasses when I have difficulty threading a needle in my own hand! lol.

I second this. If it is macular degeneration, there is about a ten day time period before there is irreversible damage. I have lost center vision in one eye and would not wish that on anyone. Fifteen years ago when this happened, there was nothing that could be done. Now, there is. Twice now my center vision has been saved in my good eye...but only because I didn't hesitate about going in.

Luckily, this probably isn't your eye problem. I certainly hope not.

Dina