I used Coats and Clark for many, many years because that was the only thread available to me. The quilt shop I worked in stocked Aurifil 50 wt thread. When I tried it I quickly noticed how little lint there was as opposed to CC thread. And as has been noted, it makes a fine and flat seam. Do I still purchase and occasionally use CC thread, yes. But my main piecing thread is Aurifil. I figure less lint keeps me from having my machine serviced less often is enough to justify the expense as maintenance on my machine is 2 hours one way from me.