Hi Jan, I ordered thread from connecting threads for the first time and my machines as well as me find no problem with them. It's 50 wt and thinner than the c&c thread that I've been using and I like it very much... I like the different shades of one color very much... I also use the doodle pads & cut them down...
For anyone wanting to practice on simple blocks sign up at Quiltpro.com they have a free block of the day every day.. costs you nothing and they are very cute..Today's block is a simple 4" xmas tree... sign up you'll be glad you did.
Sophie, I tried Epping on one of the blocks from Laurie's second book and it was a nightmare..the block had diamonds in it and I thought this is going to be a breeze because I've done several projects using the EPP method. the seams after removing the paper stretched to much and I had to re-enforce them with machine stitching..I felt it was a wasted effort...it might have turned out differently if I chose a another block than the one I did..