I bought a little plastic Dritz needle threader when JA's had the notions wall on sale one time. Total piece of junk, and into the trash it went. (Would have cost me more in gas to take it back than what the darn thing cost.) I got a Clover needle threader instead, $15.99 (before coupon), so it should be a fine piece of equipment, right???

Grrrrr. Just tried it & can't get it to work either. I read the instructions til my eyes crossed. Pushed that plunger 40 times or more. Only ONCE did it actually put the thread thru the eye, and I'm convinced that was purely an accident on the threader's part.

I made sure I'm using the right kind of needle -- a nice hand sewing needle (a "sharp") with the right size & shape eye. Thread is the usual weight sewing thread (Gutermann). The plunger will either go thru the needle eye with no thread in the threader, or else it will push/crimp the thread with no needle in the threader. But if I put needle AND thread into this contraption, it won't thread the needle like it's supposed to. They make it look soooo easy on a video I saw online. HA. Even if I had 3 hands, I don't think I could get this thing to work.

Does anyone have one of these threaders & does it actually work for you? Did I get a lemon, or are they all impossible?

My needle threader works great. Of course, my needle threader happens to be my 18 year old daughter. The last of the bunch! Don't know what I will do when she leaves for college!!!!! I hope someone posts more on your dilemma as I am going to need to purchase something soon! I have never had any luck with the automatic threader on machine either. Good Luck!
Thanks,
Susan

I have that thrader - yeah, it works about 50% of the time. To be fair, some of the time it may have been the kind of needle or thread I was using - I didn't even consider that I went back to the hit and miss method. I had an older threader that worked very well but, sadly, it "got stepped on" - never worked as well after it crunched.

yeah, I have one at home I tried and tried and never did get it to work at all...I was thinking after I read the directions again...it said for clover needles...
I just use those little metal ones 3 to a pkg for $1.49....or DH when I am home...I usually have him thread a whole bunch on a spool for me, then I just move then along as I pull thread for next needle.

Yikes, that's terrible.
I have two of them and love them both. One by my chair in the living room and one in my sewing room. The one I use most is getting a little hit and miss, but gee they are years old. I bought them the first time I saw them and had difficulties the first few times I used them.
I have to make sure the needle is in first and set all the way in before I put the thread in.

I hope you can figure yours out, they do save a lot of time for me. I can never remember where I put my glasses, I should get another pair so I can see to find them.

Do not throw it away - it will not thread glaced thread for hand quilting thru a tween ,,, just d oesn't happen ... also be sure you are holding down the needle from the point, you will feel it turn a bit when the plunger seeks the hole - if it's not catching, give the needle a little turn and hold it gently again ... I have been using them forever and would not part with mine - but again, like most tools there are limitations ... IF it really isn't working call CLOVER and tell them your problem - you will get good customer service .. don't give up.

OK, so I'm not 100% alone here with my troubles. I'm sure I'm inserting the needle the right way, the thread the right way, holding it all "just so" while I plunge, etc. I can get the plunger thru the eye....I can get the thread to bend from being plunged, but I can't get thread to go through eye when I use both needle & thread in this thing.

What good is it if you could only use Clover needles with it? They can't be serious. I thought they were just promoting their own brand of needles when they mentioned that name on the package (only found one place so far where that's mentioned). I thought that once sharps were out of their packages, they all looked & worked alike, & brand shouldn't matter. I've twiddled the needle around in that top hole to make sure I had the eye right. Looks like there's only one way they let it fall in there, eye towards the poker every time.

I'm going to have to contact Clover next week. This is annoying, as everything else Clover that I own works great. I did save the receipt, but of course I used up a JA coupon that I could have used on something else. Do they "refund" coupons, too?

I have one also and it is worthless....a royal pain.....such a disappointment. I have resorted to placing a piece of white paper behind the needle eye and threading by hand.I also have some of those little silver needle threaders you put through the needle eye and pull the thread through.

i notice u have to hold the thread taut while u push the plunger with thumb and forefinger. did u try that? lol

ok, i just tried it again. the plunger part is on your right, stick the needle in, any needle, here a needle, there a needle. then put the thread in its spot, where it goes (no i haven't been drinking), then with your thumb and forefinger on each side, pull the thread towards the plunger and hold it. press down the plunger and release. it always works for me. try it.