I don't use special thread on mine, I buy the $1.99 cones from Joanns once I learned to adjust the tension it worked fine. I do not always use interfacing, unless it is thin fabric. All the designs I get are the free ones and there is a great variety. If you go to search on the top of the page and type in ME Embroidery a ton of links will come up.
It is addicting!!!!!