It seems to be getting more difficult to thread my sewing machine needles .(yes I wear glasses & was recently seen by eye DR). Two questions 1. Do you use an independent threader for your machine, and is it worth the money??? Do not seem to be expensive on Ebay. #2. If you are store front or on line seller do you sell them and what is price? I would prefer to buy from someone here rather then outsider.

Thank you in advance for your help

Quiltingly, CJR
Caroline

I'm interested in the responses to your question, too. I have a machine with a self threader but most of the time it doesn't thread so I have to thread by hand (and eye). It takes forever. I wear glasses too with no line bifocals and STILL can't see that little hole!! :(

I'm having pretty good success with one of those inexpensive wire loop needle threaders. I had to bend the wire so I can get it to go through the eye an insert it from back to front.

My machine has a threader and I LOVE it once I figured out how to use it....if you are getting another machine this is nice and the other thing was the neddle up or down.....hope this helps

That is the only thing I don't like about my machine. I can still manually thread the needle much faster than I can with that blankety blank threader on the machine!!!

Have you tried holding a scrap of white paper up behind the needle when you thread it? It helps to make the eye stand out so you can see where you are going with the thread. Just a thought.

Rose

I have the threader tooo and has not worked right since I have had the machine......yes I read the instructions :lol:

My eye sight is bad. I have trifocals. I also use the inexpensive wire loop threaders. They bend very well. Some of my machines thread from front to back (so I put the loop in from the back). My other machines thread from the side. The threader works well on all of the machines.

I have been known to take the needle out ,thread it and put it back in lol, I finnally bought a cheap magnifying glass ,it does the trick!

My mid arm quilting machine does not have a threader on it... and I have been wondering about one of the machine threaders as well. I saw one on Ebay and have been curious ever since.

I also wonder if anyone has one.....

I have the same problem Nanamoms, self threader on machine that won't work and no line bifocals and still can't see to thread needle!

I have tried loads n loads but I still come back to the basic wire needle threader.

I have a self threader on my machine, but do it the "old fashioned" way, I can have it done faster.

i have never had any luck w/built -in threaders.you must have to have a hole in the needle the size of a golf ball
the tip w/the white paper does help when threading by hand or w/wire loop
don't think i'd ever pay extra to get one if it didn't come on the machine!
dar

My Esante has a auto needle threader and I love it but my singer has one that has not worked since I got it I use one of those little cheap threaders and it works great.
I would not invest in something more expensive as I have found most of these miracle solutions you see never work
as they say they will

I have a Janome with a threaded and I love it - I have a hard time threading my other machines but with the built in threader - I don't cringe when I have to change threads :)

I meant to say on basic machines but I am really pleased with the needle threader on my Elna 7200 it works brilliantly :thumbup:

The easiest way for me to thread without a threader is to aim for the light behind the hole not the hole itself. I do have good lighting behind my machine.

I have a computerised Brother with a needle threader, works great. The only time I have issues is if the needle isn't raised correctly. My friend has a cheap Walmart Brother, non computerised, it has a great needle threader. Wish I could find a threader for my old White machine. That machine is a workhorse.

I have the same problem. sometimes I put a piece of paper behind the machine needle so I can see the hole. The built in one doesn't always work for me either. I also make sure i cut the end of the thread before I try. If it is "fuzzy' from the trhead cutter it won't hit the eye for me. So much for my relaxing hobby.

I have a computerised Brother with a needle threader, works great. The only time I have issues is if the needle isn't raised correctly. My friend has a cheap Walmart Brother, non computerised, it has a great needle threader. Wish I could find a threader for my old White machine. That machine is a workhorse.
Can you beleive it's warmer by 2 degrees at home than here in Yuma.

mine is a Brother also. when the threader works it's great. I'm sure alot of my problem is user error, not the machine.

On my Kenmore that I keep over at my quilt buddy's house, I use the needle threader that came with my Imagine Wave serger. Don't know where to tell you to get one, but they are far superior to the wire needle threaders. You might check at a babylock dealer.

I can't see to use my threader on my machine. I purchased a small LED light and put it behind the needle and I can finally see the hole so a least I can thread my needle and use my machine.

if i tip my machine back i can see the needle better

For those of you with built in needle threaders on your machine..these can usually be adjusted. Often the tiny little wire can be out of alignment (or may need replacing). I found mine on my new Horizon wouldn't thread a fine needle but was ok on a larger needle. I very gently coaxed the tiny little wire on the threader to one side with my finger and haven't had a problem since. It must have been out of alignment just slightly.

I might add...I couldn't really see the wire properly because I also wear glasses and they certainly don't see everything clearly. But I must have fluked moving the wire in the right direction and the right amount..lol. I would be lost without my needle threader..lol

Schmetz makes a 'Quick threading' needle. Instructions say to slide the thread along the needle side until it clips into the needle eye. I have some 90/14. Don't know if they come in other sizes or not.

I love my threader. One time it acted up and I took it to the dealer and thy had to adjust and now it works wonderful. Just a little screw adj.

I love my threader. One time it acted up and I took it to the dealer and thy had to adjust and now it works wonderful. Just a little screw adj.

Love your avatar. Awesome baby

I'm flabbergasted!! You don't like your needle threaders on your machines? I love mine! I have a cheap Janome and my needle threader is fabulous! On the old machines I use the cheap little wire threaders, also. I'm sure you've all gone over your manuals to see why the needle threaders don't work, right? I,too, have bifocals and getting my head cocked just right to see that dang little hole if a real pain in the neck, so my needle threader is a God send!! I've never seen the independent threaders. With so many different machines I'd wonder how it could ever work, but since I've not seen one, I won't judge it. Good luck!

I am newly long sighted so even with glasses threading my machine needles was something I was dreaded and then I had a lightbulb moment.

I remembered something I was told in a class I took several years ago that most sewing machine needles have a groove leading to the eye. If you cut your thread on the diagonal so you have a point and no little filaments fraying out of it, you can stroke the thread down the front of the needle and it will 'pop' into the eye.

This works 9 out of 10 times for me. The failure is due to the fact I would have not cut my threat on a 45 degree angle!

Caroline, I don't know how well they work, but in looking for cheaper "One Second Needles" online, I learned that there are self threading machine needles! It sounds good, but wonder how well they hold onto the thread while sewing. I think JoAnn's has them. Has anyone here used them?

Both my machines have needle threaders on them.
My Bernina 180E came with a needle threader. And I love it.
After buying my Bernina 150 I had problems seeing to thread my needle. So for xmas last year my husband took my machine to the Bernina dealer and had a needle threader installed. Cost for parts and labor was $80.00.
It is a different style and took awhile to get used to.
For me it was well worth the cost.
I would definitley check with your dealer and have one installed.

I have tweezers that I use to thread my machine. They work perfectly, holding the thread close to the eye of the needle.

My needle threader is not working, however when I was just learning to sew (long ago) I was shown how to "spit" on the tip of my finger, wipe the needle hole from behind, line up the thread and it will "suck"it through.

That's what I do. It helps tremendously. I keep an old business card handy for this.

OK, Ladies, I had the same problems! What I was doing wrong was, I did not line up the turn knob on the right side to line up w/ the seam on the machine cabinet THEN be sure to let the presser foot down. If you have threaded the machine correctly, it will work AND it's worth it because I can't see to thread it manually (like you guys). Try it!

My Brother has a needle threader and I called it every name in the book until I figured out you have to have the needle in a certain position for the threader to work. If it's too high or too low it doesn't work. Try different needle positions and see if that helps.

I purchased a lighted wire needle threader for my long arm---it was inexpensive and works great----ny other 2 machines both have needle threaders---one threads itself---and I have never had problems with either one