Sew on Buttons with Doll Maker's Needle - Amy Butler Floor Cushion

I am making Amy Butler's floor cushion.  Instructions are here: http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/sewing/floor_cushions.php

I am on step 6d and am at a standstill.

I am having trouble attaching the covered button on one side of the cushion and the smaller button on the other.  The doll maker's needle is difficult to manuever through the loop on the back of the covered button.  It's almost impossible for me to get it out of the button once it's through the loop without bending the needle.   It is also difficult to thread through the two small holes of the smaller buttons when the thread length lessens and when I am ready to end the sitch.

Is there an easier way?

And how should I end the end the stitch?  A book I have suggests tying a knot in the back of the button, but by the time I'm ready to do so, the thread is too small to enable the needle to move that way. 

Please help!  I can't finish without inserting the buttons.

Thank you!

I haven't worked that particular pattern, but would it be possible to add a small jumpring to your covered button and sew through that? Once you've looped through it, you could squish it closed extra tight? Otherwise, dollmaker's needles come in a variety of sizes, you may be able to find one with a smaller eye so it fits through the button. I use the smallest doll needle (about 3.5") when I'm attaching things as their eyes are smaller.

Amy