When I put that much money into fabric, sewing machine, batting etc. plus my hours upon hours of time, I want a good quality thread. I always buy Aurifil, Gutermann or Masterpiece from Superior Threads. When I do charity quilting at my church's quilting group, we are given cheap thread. That cheap stuff makes about 5 times more lint than the good stuff I normally use. I don't take my good machines to church quilting anymore because of it. I want to know that what I am making for myself or gifting to others is of a good quality and will hold up over time. Plus, one spool of thread-even when it is more expensive-lasts a long long time. It's well worth the investment to me.