I use Coats and Clark thread almost exclusively. I buy it on sale at either JoAnns or Hancocks. It seems to work fine for me. I bought some off brand at a discount store I don't remember the name. I didn't like that. Gueterman is also good but expensive. The spools don't seem to hold much thread. As for rotary blades, I used the ones from Harbor freight. They were OK, but they didn't seem to last very long. A couple came with dull spots. I no longer buy them. I like Olfa blades the best. They seem to last the longest for the money of the brands I have tried. I buy them with coupons.