I agree that everyone has their own favorite thread and a good reason for using it. I always use Gutermann cotton thread and do not have any problems with breakage when using it on my new machines or my Featherweights, and yes I clean the lint deposits out of the bobbin areas quite often, which I would probably do anyway. Gutermann thread was recommended by the teacher(a Bernina dealer) at a beginning quilting class I took when I first started quilting.