I have a devil of a time threading my machine. My eyes are not as sharp as they used to be and I have to use those little metal needle threaders. The problem is the needle on my machine has to be threaded from front to back. Well, the post is in the back and I have to bend the darn wire on the needle threader to try and put it in from the back so I can get the thread in from the front. Then the wire gets all twisted out of shape, making it darn near impossible to thread.

Does everyone have this problem?

I am having the same problem with my eyes, but I thread my machine needles differently.

I first cut my thread on an angle, not straight across. This gives you a chisel tip that slips through the eye much easier.

Then, if you stroke the tip of the thread down the needle, it will usually just pop through the eye. It is not fool proof, it might take several goes, but always make sure there are no unravelled bits and cut that chisel tip.

Have you tried one of these - they are very flexible

http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Looped-N.../dp/B0001DS1RA

Mine got bent out of place when using a heavy weight thread. I have discovered that if I set my machine back to the start posistion it threads better.

If you wet your finger and run it behind the needle it should go through with no problem. This also applies to hand needles. Don't wet the end of the thread. As Tussymussy said cut your thread at an angle.

I just bought a new gizmo to help me thread as I am visually impaired. Hang on while I go get it! - ......

It says: bohin. Machine needle threaDer with magnet. Made in France. My friend at LQS says it is great and easier than the other threshers I was looking at. The hardware part will be not to dose it!!! Cost me $12.50 but if it keeps my blood pressure down... Lol.
Www.bohin.fr

Good luck. If u can't get ahold of one let me know.

I bought a package of these for threading my serger, but they are wonderful for threading anything!

I use a long pair of tweezers & hold the thread about 1/4" back from the end & push it to the back. Once the end is through I use the tweezers to pull the thread out until I can grab it.

Hold a small piece of white paper or fabric up near the needle in the back and you will be able to see the hole in the needle much better.

IF this is what I think it is this gadget works on everything!

http://www.softexpressions.com/Merch...egory_Code=3ff

Thanks for all the tips, ladies. I'm going to try every one of them.

I use this to thread my long arm machine and I love it!

Wow, it's amazing. Now days, they have a gadget for everything......LOL

I'm taking notes of all of these suggestions, lol. I'm 54, have done somekind of needle work for many, many years. My eyes are getting tired, too. I use my regular glasses plus a pair of magnifiers to applique now, who knows what's going to happen in a few years. Laser surgery? I'd go that route and expense before I'd quit sewing...

I find myself regularly using the needles with larger eyes for their size, I do cut my thread at a slant and sometimes use the white paper behind.

I have a needle threader on my machine, but I can only get it to work one time out of 4 so I do it the old fashioned way. I deliberately bend one of those little silver colored needle threaders and use them when the eye is too small.

These old eyes just don't work like they used to.