My guess is that some threads just wind up as "lemons" as anything else. I usually have good luck with star thread, but then had a spool that kept breaking on me, so I purchased a cone of King Tut for 29 buckaroos, Guess what, I still had breaks, so I went back to the star, and have been fine since. I am a fan of sulky for applique. I say, it is like anything else, find a brand that you have good luck with, and that is affordable for you and stick to it, regardless of other people's opinions and preference.