I've started using Aurifil 50 wt cotton mako for piecing, 28-40 wt for quilting. LOVE this thread, will never use C&C, Gutermann again. Might use up the Mettler I already have. The 50 wt also seems great for hand appliqué. I also love Masterpiece by Superior for piecing and appliqué. They sell a bobbin donut full of various colors on bobbins which is great to have for hand appliqué. It's $29 now at Connecting Threads, $36 on the Superior site. I like the look and feel on their King Tut for quilting, but have only played with it on little samples, no big projects. I have tons of old C & C and Mettler hand quilting thread, no complaints there. DMC had a line of hand quilting thread which is great. I only have a few spools in a few colors left, don't think they make it anymore.