I used Americana for a long time until I switched to quilting on dark fabric. The thread seems to catch the batting and causes bearding. So, after being frustrated with that thread, I switched to Gutermann for hand quilting and have been very pleased with it. There is some bearding with a new length of thread, but it is gone after a few stitches. I also like how it doesn't tangle up - as long as I tie the knot in the end that is furthest from the spool. Americana was always knotting and tangling up on me no matter what end the knot was in.