i quilt with whatever is around, but to keep it from tangling, thread from the other end...thread has a twist and it likes to work from one end...i honestly cannot remember which is correct, but thread the needle while it's still on the spool and see if that's right (i think it is)...if it tangles, then next time, thread after cutting with the newly cut end and see if that doesn't help....(I think it's the first as that was a common way to thread needles in the past...when leaving an elderly relative's house, we were told to thread all her needles onto the spool so she could just pull off a new length onto the next needle without having to struggle with the tiny needle eyes)...