I prefer to do my piecing with poly and I use Superior's So Fine (50 wt). However, when I do use cotton thread (and I use Aurifil, as well as Gutterman and Metler), I also use All-Purpose Sewer's Aid (a Dritz product). This stuff is wonderful in that it does NOT stain, and also acts as a lubricant for the thread. My lint problems virtually disappeared when I started using it.