I hand quilt. If I can't find hand quilting thread which is coated in the colors I want, I buy 100% cotton quilting thread and run each piece thru my beeswax circle, usually a couple of times. Also am careful to knot the end that comes off the spool last. Also keep each piece to about 18 inches long. One of the tricks I have found that works for me is, after every time I load the needle with stitches and pull it thru the fabric, I move the thread that is in the eye just a little so the same spot does not take the strain over and over. When I am careful to do that, I seldom have any knotting or breaking problems.