I agree about Gutermann thread. That is what I use mostly. I've also used the JoAnn's brand of Americana and been happy with that as well. I managed to hoard some Thread Heaven and use that conditioner on my thread. Try some beeswax to help with the fraying/shredding. Much also depends on which direction you have the thread in your needle. If you put the end of the thread coming off the spool into the eye of your needle it tends to both shred and tangle less.