In my short time in the quilting world, I have found that it first depends on what your machine likes. I was first told to buy the real expensive brands of thread. My first machine that I started sewing with did not like it....but of course I thought it was me. After reading a lot of discussion on this board I tried some other brands (even the real inexpensive ones) and finally found the one my machine likes and it made my life so much easier. If you have done all of the basics....rethread your machine, check the bobbin and have a new needle in place and you are still having problems...try a different brand of thread. I agree that you may have to try a lot of brands to find the right one....but it will be worth it when you find it.