I got an Avante for Christmas, a gift from myself. I absolutely LOVE it. I have quilted 35 quilts since getting it going. I get my quilting thread from
www.createforless.com. They carry many brands, but my favorite is YLI. I find their prices very good, free shipping over $100 spent, very easy to do when buying cones of thread. They also carry other crafting and sewing supplies. I have found the cheaper threads to be lintier than the more expensive threads. I would also suggest you practice with threads you intend to use. You get a better feel for tension settings, etc. They don't all stitch out the same, I found. I also have a Viking Mega Quilter, which is the same as the Tin Lizzie, but have had many issues with the machine having to go back to the factory for months at a time for bearing replacement. That machine is very picky about thread and needles. The Avante is very "amiable" to any thread.