I was told to use only thread that is expensive and comes on those horrible spendals that dont work on a normal machine without some sort of attachment.
After many trys at using this stuff, I went back to coats and clarks all purpose thread and now I no longer have any trouble with breaking or loops.
I have quilted several lap quilts and have had no problems with thread.
My sewing is terrible, havent gotten the hang of it yet but practice makes perfect or so they say.
For sewing in the ditch on binding, I cant do without the stich in the ditch foot, no wandering off like with the walking foot.
I like that idea of pvc pipe, my quilts are always catching on the edge of my plastic table. Yes, the darning foot is the best.