Machine needle threader is not working
 

I have a brother machine that works fine, but all of a sudden the needle threader doesn't line up. I can see the problem, but I'm hesitant to take it in to have it fixed thinking the repair will be costly. More than anything the threader is just a convenience because my eyes aren't what they once were. I'm hoping someone out there has had this problem and may have fixed it themselves. I'd try if I knew where to start.

I think machine needle threaders are a big waste. I quit using mine long time ago.
If I have problems threading the needle (when my eyes are too tired) I use a
cheap needle threader - the kind you get at the dollar store (2-3 in a package).
Good lighting and a magnifying glass should be helpful too.

I have a Brother also...it works great ,but I noticed one day it wasn't threading as easy as usual! My eyes not being young anymore,I found a magnifying glass,and lo and behold,there was a tiny little "tooth" on my threader that was bent! I used a small pair of tweezers..bent it back to where it needed to be..works like dream again!

I have the same problem at times. I've found if i do a needle down-needle up it positions it.
Some say they bend the little wire a bit to get it in position but i have never tried that=hands aren't too steady

I'm gonna try that but won't be surprised if I still can't see with a magnifying glass. lol

This is a common problem with threaders I guess. I think I'll just wait till I have to have something else fixed and then have it looked at.

My Bernina's self threader doesn't always work. It does about 90% of the time, but then sometimes it won't work ever. I take it in and my dealer fixes it. I am going to see him tomorrow and I will tell him that it's not always working and I will watch what he does and report back to you. Maybe it will help you.

Kookey,

I fixed it. There's a little flimsey part in there. No wonder these don't work sometimes. :p I just love all you quilting gals!!

My Brother's dealer said to go to needle down, then needle up position and it should thread properly.

If the needle up/down is not positioning the needle, you might have a little bend in the wire..be sure your needle is 'straight on' as well. But if it is the threader mechanisim, it is very easily repaired and you can do it yourself. I've now replaced mine twice and the little part cost only about $6 from the dealer. Your dealer will probably be glad to instruct you...eezy peezy. Do not fret. It's such a small thing....yet sooooooo necessary for us who are getting ''sight impaired''---or those of us whose arms are just too short..haha

I had mine fixed on my older Pfaff. Glad I did.

Most of the times they don't work. I have a Bernina and a Brother, both with this feature and I almost always end up doing it myself!

If you have to thread the needle by hand, put the pull up lever down and the needle down so you can see the hole. Put your index finger just behind the hole, you can then see where to put the thread. Easier to do to thread. I saw a sewing machine tech do it and it works.

I love mine and use it all the time, but that little wire does occasionally need to be bent just an itty bit one way or the other. Now that I'm used to it, I can do it with my fingernail. Once the little wire broke, and the dealer put in a new piece for me. Not that expensive. I bought an extra one so I can fix it myself if it goes again. However, since I had my cataract surgery I can see the needle using just my readers, so it's not as crucial to me as it used to be. Glad you got yours fixed.

Mine has one, and it seemed great, but I couldn't get the hang of it, so I just thread manually. I keep forgetting it's even there! LOL. I'll bet if I got used to it, I'd love it though...

The best needle threader on any machine I have used is on my Singer Quantum. It is years old and threads the needle the first time every time. It's not flimsy and I don't have to do anything but hold the thread end.

My repair guy said to always try a new needle first as often the needle is just s hair off.

Needle threader are notorious for working one day and broken the next. Most have a tiny filament that pushes the thread through the hole that tends to get bent. When mine do not work, I get out the handy beeswax, drag the thread through the wax then snip the end off at an angle. Even without a magnifying glass (I have "old eyes"- I know there is a hole there but darned if I can see it lol) threading goes smoothly!! Glad you got it fied, but remember the beeswax - I also use it when I thread my Serger and longarm.

My Bernina threader works every time but my Juki threader has never worked. It's the worst one I've ever seen! I say get one of those cheap threaders. They work. The birdie one is a good one.