I use to use it for piecing and still have spools of it of pretty colors for machine applique. The last big spool of piecing thread I used kept breaking so I haven't bought any more. Shop where I bought it said Aurifil was thinner because it was 2 ply so it would break faster then the 3 ply thread. I said I know it is 2 ply who doesn't? But it has never broken so much before.