Originally Posted by
thepolyparrot
I think so, too. A machine uses whatever I put into it, or I'll find out what's "off" and make it work.
Of course, I don't try to use hand-quilting thread or rope in the needle - there are some things that a domestic sewing machine will not do.
But lots of times, I see people saying that their machine won't take anything but "X" brand of thread and I would take that as a challenge. I would want to tinker around and figure out how to make it take the kind of thread they want to use. Usually it's only a matter of changing the needle and/or balancing the tensions.
If I ran across a lot of reviews for a machine that said, "You can only use X brand" in this machine, I just wouldn't buy it.
I see this a LOT with longarm machines - and as much as you pay for a longarm, that machine better sew whatever you give it to sew!
You are right that you do see comments from a lot of longarm quilters that their machine prefers certain thread. I'm fairly certain my machine can use any thread, but I have a fear of messing too much with the tension settings. I have a gauge for the bobbin tension and I am just now getting comfortable branching out a bit on different thread. If you're willing to spend some time playing with the tension, I bet any machine could be made to use any thread. (I'm just not willing to spend that time--rather be quilting.)