I have a lovely Janome overlocker, I forget which number, but it was about £350, and the threading is fine. The cheaper ones are a nightmare to thread which is why I didn't get the most basic model. Frister and Rossmann do one for about £250 which is supposed to be easy thread too, so you get what you pay for. I went to a couple of classes to teach you how to use them and all the features which was super useful, although you do get a DVD with the machine . I do love it and if you are into dressmaking it gives a much more professional finish, and it's great for stretch fabrics too, and it does lovely rolled hems on fine fabrics. I use mine a lot.