My Bernina is so picky when it comes to thread. I've had to finally use just cones of Presencia thread. I have other cones that will work with it. It will not work with varigated thread at all. If I try spools, it says that the thread is broken, even though it's not, but Gutermann spools will work. It works perfect with cones, so I've spent quite a bit on cones and I'm not changing it.