here is the link for Floriani's website. It's great for info, You can download the workbook to your desktop to view. I get different brands of stabilizer but this along with tutorials from emblibrary.com will help alot
http://www.rnkdistributing.com/pdf-f...Stabilizer.pdf
As far as thread; different ones for different things. I use rayon the most, then there is polyester which is good if something will be washed alot but it doesn't hold up to heat as well, it will melt. I've even used cotton thread, depending on what I was making. Rayon and polyester has a nice shine to them. When making FSL baskets and ornaments I also used the serger cone thread but that did take me a while to figure out which needle and what stabilizer worked the best for it. Now it stitches out so nice without any breakages. The bobbins will depend on your machine, I normally use the same thread in the top and bobbin to eliminate any issues. These things have worked well for me for the past few years so good luck and keep asking questions, that's the only way to learn.
Oh, and as for brand off thread, I use them all. My machine isn't finicky and works just as well with one as the other. My advice is just try them and see. My machine self adjusts its own tension so I never have to worry about that.