On the EPP and silk versus cotton, the silk I have used is the Gutermann from Joanns and the cotton is Aurifil 50/2 The cotton thread actually looks finer (thinner) than the silk so I have mostly used the cotton. I am very new at EPP so I have not seen how well one holds up over the other...would love to hear from more experienced EPPers...I won't name any names but, hexnut are you out there?