Probably about a year ago I saw some cotton quilting thread on line (generic) that was a great price and lots of colors to choose from. Recently I had had my Janome serviced and afterwards I tried to use a spool of this thread to quilt and I had nothing but problems. I couldn't accomplish anything. I took my machine back assuming it was the machine. I happened to take along the thread too. The technician took the thread and while holding it in his hands, he would pull on it and it just broke into lots of little pieces. He explained it was the thread. Old cotton thread apparently is just no good. The problem is too that you have no idea how old a cone of thread is when you buy it. I am an embroiderer by trade and use poly thread exclusively and have decided I am just going to use poly thread from now on as it is very durable. I am not a purist by any means, just practical.