You don't want to use hand quilting thread in ANY machine because of the wax coating...it'll gum up the tension discs. I know how you feel tho, I have a collection of hand quilting threads (no purple tho! :lol: )
I used to be scared of the tension knob myself. I think because of Mama, when she was teaching me on her Featherweight gave me a stern "Don't TOUCH that!". :lol: There hasn't been a dealer that I've talked to either that didn't say, "If the bobbin tension needs adjustment, bring it in!". Now I'm fearless! I adjust the top first, and if that doesn't work for me, I center the top tension and go after the bobbin! ;)