I too, use my own old thread for appliqué when it matches. Most pieces get quilted down anyway, so the greatest stress is washing. It's okay for piecing, too, on less labor intensive or expensive projects. Most seams don't get as stressed as the quilting lines. But the Mettler I've been using lately is so much less linty. I've been reading up on thread on this board as I get into machine quilting and improve my techniques all around, so I just placed an Aurifil order from Tristan Threads in Canada on a tip from Candace from this board. GREAT prices on set compared to my sewing machine dealer. I WISH I had a local QS that deserved to have me overpay for thread, but the two LQS I go to haven't earned that level of loyalty from me yet.