ha, ha. it turned out the dark green different looking spool from my old C&C was actually C&C but polyester! it sewed fine.
then i started using some essential thread i had and sewed on one short border, went to pull the thread to clip it and the bobbin wouldn't budge. i clipped it and then took my bobbin out-the essential thread had a lump on the thread that refused to budge. sigh!
first time that happened to me with that thread but i'd hate to be doing free motion quilting and run into a lump.
oh well, i will sew slow awhile and see how it goes.