I use different threads, depends on what colors I'm working with, some monofiliment, some quilting thread, some regular thread, just depends. When I found a the perfect tension I marked with a marker and make sure I have it on the mark. This machine I only use for quiltingInstead of stitching in the ditch, I usually stitch about 1/4" from the ditch and I like the looks, too hard for me to stay in the ditch. I usually FMQ my quilts with larger stiples.