I like to use the cones because they are more economical. I have several basic colors. I have a cheap thread stand that sits off to the right of my machine. I taped a closed safety pin to the top of the machine near the regular spool pins and pass the thread through it and thread the machine as usual. I know thread is rather expensive-especially smaller spools but so is fabric. Good quality thread presents far fewer issues than cheap thread. I watch for sales and use coupons. I use 50 or 60 weight thread to piece but usually use 30 or 40 weight to quilt with. I have started to use Bottom Line (a polyester) to STID and like it far more than the more traditional invisible poly thread.