1CharmShort

When you don't want to make a trip to the store, or wait for an online order,:
here's a trick I learned that almost always works pretty slick:
Get a toothbrush, lay the thread across it and push that through the needle.
and
like newbee3 said, a white card or paper or a mirror behind the needle helps too, but it's hard to hold it there on a featherweight, cuz you thread from the left side- not the front

I'll be watching for other suggestions!
Glad you asked that question

Peckish

Don't lick the thread. Lick your fingers, run fingers down the needle, then thread the needle. Theory behind this is the dry thread will get sucked into the needle by the moisture. This is how I thread my longarm, it works quite well!

quiltsfor

I use the old fashioned one that been around for ages: Beadnova When I have trouble threading my machine, works like a charm everytime. I also lower my presser foot to make it easier to see what I'm doing.

Plus if I mis-place it, I just pull out another one. They are cheap to buy. 100 for 5.99 or 50 for 3.99. I keep one beside my machine with my thread clippers/scissors.

WMUTeach

I do not have a machine needle threader but.... I often will hold a small piece of white paper, post-it or even a small piece of white fabric behind the needle and the eye shows up more clearly. I can then thread the needle and away I go. I do the same when threading needles for hand work. Hint #2, I turn on my cell phone and hold my needle (hand work) over the screen and the light will reveal the eye of the needle. Haven't tried it with my machine needle.