I have used serger thread, Joann's brand and Maxi-lock and have had no issues with it all. I have been using the thread for piecing going 4 years with the large cones and find them comparable to the Connecting Threads cotton that I have bought. I made a 3ft square small quilt using all of the above threads and washed it every week, sometimes twice a week for 6 months. No thread breakage or shredding at all. It has been a great money saver to be able to use the cones.