If you can't get your thread into the needle, here's a trick that may help. Put some nail polish on the end of the thread and then pull along the length of the thread with your fingers while the polish is still wet. Allow the polish to dry. You'll then have a very stiff end of the thread, and there will be no loose pieces hanging off of it. It makes it a lot easier to thread the needle. Once you get the thread into the needle, pull through the section with the nail polish and cut it off.