Well I use cotton thread. for piecing and for hand quilting. and yes i do have to clean my machine. But if u use Egyptian cotton thread u get very little lint.I also only use cotton batting.no poly. Poly thread can and does stretch where as cotton does not. And u get puckering at the seams with poly. Just my opinion. I guess I am just an old fashioned quilter. And my quilts are made to be used also. which is why i use cotton. just has a better feel to me.