Herb, I only insert the tread a couple of inches into the hole I leave the remaining loose thread behind it between the grabber and the needle and press the start button. in my opinion this is the quickest way to do it. When I toggle the grabber and then insert the thread 2 inches it wont work because if I insert the thread 2 inches and have loose thread behind the grabber it will pull out of the needle when the grabber comes out and the machine starts sewing. With the grabber toggled down you have to put the thread through the needle hole and then pull it back up and engage it in the spring . I find this is more time consuming because each time you try and pull the thread back up the thread loops and snags in the serrated edges. Honestly in my opinion if the outer serrated edge went and the grabber were only half its width or if they went back to a conventional grabber that sits behind the head the machine would be a lot easier to work with. Anand Anand, Are you toggling the grabber bar to the closed position before you thread your needles? Herb