klswift

you can still use the little wire needle threader - it's just trickier with a front to back sewing machine needle. Neccessity being the mother of invention, I have figured out how to do it with a good light.

Becky's Crafts

I used to use clip-on magnifier glasses I get from nancysnotions.com. Now I have a self threading machine! The magnifiers are like $17.00, but are a life saver, thus worth every penny!! I use them for "frogging" (rip it, rip it) now. Best of luck!

GrammieJan

I learned how to thread a front to back needle this way. I put my left thumbnail behind the needle tip and gently press it slightly forward. Then I can see thru the needle eye (I never use nail polish) and with a fresh cut of the thread so that it is not fraying, I can just push it thru. Very seldom have to try it twice. When I bought another sewing machine, I was shocked to see that the needle gets threaded left to right! All of my other machines are front to back.

#1piecemaker

You know the old saying.... the older the fiddler the sweeter the music!! We all have to make adjustments as we get older. I'm sure you will find something that works perfectly for you!

clevermom3kids

Looks like this has been a helpful post for many! Here's what I've tried after shopping yesterday: the white behind the needle--doesn't work too well for me, but I think it has to do more with how low the needle sits at it's highest point while in the machine and the fact that it threads side to side and not front to back. I bought a Dritz needle threader with magnifier which is just the typical thin wire and a cheap plastic magnifier that doesn't work better than my reading glasses. However, I could feel the wire pop into the needle as I scraped it across the needle, so then I was able to get it into the hole. I also purchased the Dritz machine needle inserter & threader:

http://www.amazon.com/Dritz-Machine-...eedle+threader

After fiddling with it a while, it works quite well. The first review on the amazon site has great photos of how the reviewer uses it (she claims the instructions that come with the device aren't very good, so she added the photos to help other be able to use it) Everyone gave it good reviews; it's about the size of a small seam ripper.

So, for me, I will use the machine needle threader first and the others as backup. Oh ya, and I was thinking that depending on the machine, a piece of white first aid tape might fit on the shaft behind the needle then you wouldn't have to have a piece of paper around. Of course, the idea of painting white on it would be useful too and not as bulky.

ghk1936

White cardstock works great for me.

NopahDesertRat

I bought a Dritz Machine Needle inserter & Threader and I find it works really well. I can get the front to back threaded but the FW was a problem. This gadget pushes the thread through, just love it!

Ethel

San Luis

A board member recently posted that she keeps a white plastic spoon at her machine to hold behind the needle when threading her machine. Works! I was always losing the piece of white paper I'd used forever, so off I'd go to find another. The spoon has a nice handle and sits next to my thread nippers to my left. So now it's my white spoon and readers. So far so good, my eyes are definitely getting worse.

ArchaicArcane

This is a trick Dusty Farrell showed us at one of his classes.

Trim the end of your thread so it's clean. Then take it and slide it down the groove of the needle. It will pop into the eye every time. Every once in a while I have trouble threading one of my vintage machines and this has worked every time. The longarm... well you can practically throw it through from 20 paces, but I sometimes use this method too if I'm being lazy.

audsgirl

I bought one like that at JoAnn's and have been really pleased with how well it works. The one I got is blue and white, and I bought it during the 40% off sale. I think the retail cost is $6.99. One end of the gadget holds the sewing machine needle for insertion into the needle bar and the other end is the threader. I've always had a hard time with my Bernina "automatic" needle threader.

Leslie