I love my Voyager 17/Hinty setup. Glide thread is the easiest thread I have found for it -- absolutely no problems. Have also used King Tut and Signature cotton with no problems. Had shredding problems with connecting Threads Essential Pro (70 wt poly), but some people can use it. The Voyager/Hinty is a great beginning setup! I would love to have an Innova one day, having tried that and others out at quilt shows, but in the meantime I'm very satisfied.