Sometimes I can thread my machine and some times I can't. Colored thread is easier, but even then it often takes me many tries. I have tried handicap needles but they don't stay threaded. Both my machines have needle threaders on them but they have gone out of alignment and I have been told it would cost 40.00 to repair. This would be ok if it would STAY repaired but they both stopped working with in a very short time. Some times I have to wait for hours for my husband to get home and thread the machine for me. Any suggestions?

Stick a piece of white paper behind the needle. You can see the eye that way.

Put chapstick on your lips, putting the thread on your lips, then thread your needle. Works everytime.

get a needle with a larger eye. Some are called top stitch but Superior Threads has the #80 with larger eye.

if you wet the back of the needle instead of the thread it will draw it through nicely.

There are small manual needle threaders you can buy (Walmart probably has them), usually 3 to a package for a couple of dollars. Basically you thread the needle threader, then place the wire in the groove of the needle (near the top of the groove) and slide down until the wire goes through the eye.

Placing a card behind the needle helps too. Bernina feet have a white coating on them for this purpose -- to see the needle eye better. You could use a colored card for white thread, a white card for colored thread.

Here's what they look like:
http://www.amazon.com/Prym-Dritz-R-N...dp/B001HZSK5Y/

Thanks for suggestions last night I doing hand embroidery and my lips were chapped so put on chap stick and was threading needles and I thought boy these are treading so easy now I know why. I always use the white paper but lady the other day said it keep white plastic spoon close and you hold spoon instead of paper works great also

i have been using topstitching needles or embroidery needles in my machine they have a little longer hole in them makes it easier to thread they come in many sizes

Metallic needles for metallic threads have large eyes

I do as much strip piecing as possible, so there are no threads to come unthreaded. My granddaughter used leaders and enders to get around having the needle come unthreaded.

Hand needles, hold the thread still and move the needle to it.

I use magnifying glasses in order to thread any needle.

If I am having trouble getting the thread through the eye, I turn the needle around. Works every time.
Sue

Go to Catheys, I bought a needle threader there for about $3, you slide it down the needle and it works every time!! I sure miss living there

Thanks for asking for that help, got great ideas for me now also.

I also use a white card behind the needle. The one other thing I do is to cut the thread at an angle.

Use the dental floss thingies. They are made of plastic and look like a needle with a BIG EYE. For flossing: you thread them with dental floss and voila. Just thread them thru the front of the needle with sewing thread in the BIG EYE !!! :XD: :lol: 8-)

I will have to have DH thread my machine if my threader goes out!!!! I didnt know they could get out of alignment!!!!

I sew with a lighted magifier and bifocals as it is!!!

When I have to, I use a needle threader too. I put the threader hole through the back of the needle hole, put on a pair of reading glasses, slip the freshly cut thread end into the big hole of the the needle threader and pull the threader back out of the needle. Ta-dah!

I use these as well. Bend the wire 90 degrees to the threader and it fits into the needle much easier. My machine needle threader has never worked to my satisfaction. I find the cheap needle threaders much easier to use. Along with 'cheater' glasses, of course.

If a LQS doesn't have these ... the try to order online @

www.thecolorfulworldofsewing.com

I got mine years ago and love it. I think 35th ave sew & vac here in Phoenix has them too.

ali

Buy two pair of cheap reading glasses and keep them handy for theading. And a fly swatter to swat anyone who dares laugh at you.

Can you tread hand sewing needles? You could also try taking the needle out of the machine, and thread it. Then put it back into the machine.

If you have senior eyes, and who doesn't these days! You can try an Ott light and a magnifying glass. You can (with all of these suggestions use a needle threader. Reading glasses are another good suggestion.

I have used the needle threaded for a serger machine on my sewing machine.

I keep a bottle of clear nail polish by the machine. Put a very light coat on the tip of the thread. When it dries the tip becomes stiff and it is easier to hit the eye for threading. Makes it easier.

The needle threader is awesome. And all of these tips work - I have used every one!

Never unthread your needle. Simply cut the thread by the spool, tie on your next color, Pull knot tight, pull through the machine. I have done this for years, and occasionaly, if it is heavy thread, it won't go through the needle, bu 99 percent of the time this works.

Check your eyes or glasses!

I did all of the above ... did not help ... got my eyes checked, got a pair of glasses ... et voila!

Problem solved!

:oops:

:oops:

Try threading your needle whille it's out of the machine, then put the threaded needle in the machine.

I second that answer about putting a white paper behind the needlw. Also, I dont know what kinf of machine you have but I have a Babylock and it only takes a $4.00 part that you slide off the old one and slide on the new one.

I second that answer about putting a white paper behind the needlw. Also, I dont know what kinf of machine you have but I have a Babylock and it only takes a $4.00 part that you slide off the old one and slide on the new one.

Great suggestion with the lip balm. I notice using bees wax (run the thread through once or twice) while I hand quilt makes it SEW much easier to thread the needle (makes it a lot stiffer). I know how frustrating it is when you can't seem to get it!

I use the little metal needle threaders, too. I always get a handful in my stocking at Christmas :) They're great.

this is what I do and works great even hand sewing

Someone on here said to wet your finger and put it behind the needle and it will pull the thread through. Works for me every time.

Works for me everytime too......spit is like a magnet......now remember it only takes a lick of the finger and touch the back of the eye of the needle.....not a big lugy.....LOL!

If a LQS doesn't have these ... the try to order online @

www.thecolorfulworldofsewing.com




Great web site Thanks

I am looking for one! Was going by what the repair man told me when I had the Juki cleaned. The 2nd machine is a Brother. My friend sold it to me for 25.00 because the threader did not work.

Thank you all! I can't get over how much I learn from this board.
Love it, Love it!