Some of the Gutterman thread is made in Germany and some of it (Hancock Fabrics) is made in Mexico. Check your spools to see where it is manufactured. The Gutterman made in Mexico is horrible, i.e., frays i the needle breaks, is full of lint) but the Gutterman made in Germany is of high quality and is great. Hancock Fabrics here in Oklahoma City carries the Gutterman made in Mexico and Jo-Ann Fabrics carries the Gutterman made in Germany.