OK-this sounds good ladies!! I have the thread vertical and I haven't tried it in a jar or horizontally. It seems like good thread-no lumps and it doesn't break when I try. I'll let you know.
I called my dealer (who is no longer dealing Vikings) and they don't do loaners but will check and repair machine (all the while trying to sell me a Janome). I hand-quilted one baby quilt so only have one more to do.
Thank you, thank you!!