Embroidery Thread advice
 

I am getting my first embroidery machine and notice there are many brands of thread available. Can anyone provide pros and cons of various brands? I am planning to purchase a large multi-color set so this is a huge investment. I don't want to buy inferior thread and be stuck with multiple spools that I can't/won't use. Also, what is everyone's favorite needle size for everyday embroidery?

your needle size is dependant on the thread weight---you need to know what thread you are using then put in the correct needle for that thread.
as for the thread itself-
visit places like Superior Threads, Atlanta Thread Company, YLI, Madera and sulky and read about the threads- maybe start (small) with a couple different threads from different sources- and see what YOU like before commiting to a large investment. some people like one- while others don't & like something different- instead of going for my favorite thread you should find YOUR favorite.
that being said- the embroidery threads i use the most are Sulky, Madera & YLI.

You also have to decide if you want to use rayon, acrlic, cotton for your thread. I agree, buy a couple on sale if possible and try them out. Why not pick out a simple pattern with just a few colors and buy a couple of brands and make samples and see what you like. I use a lot of RobisonAnton, Sulky, YLI, and Janome. Metallics are a catagory all onto themselves.

I've only used sulky and I haven't done much machine embroidery. I've also used the metallics..... and I will say from my experience, the metallics are a challenge. I have also used silk thread for embroidery and like it the most for the things I have done. I agree with ckcwl and ka9sdn, get a couple different spools and try them out. Wait for that huge investment until you know what YOU want.

I have thrown all of my RobinsonAnton away. See how different people have different likes! My favorites now are rayon art silk thread from Pakistan bought from a supplier in England. I started with a purchase of 20 spools from my Babylock dealer of Maderia, then tried Sulky, etc. You might as well start out experimenting. You will find you experiment anyway.

I use Sulky and Madera threads and sometime Coats and Clarks. Rayon and polyester are my favorite. I found most polyester brands worked very nicely on my machine. Joann's runs great sales on Sulky threads, Coats and Clarks poly and worth getting some on Sale days to practice with. You are in for a great adventure with your embroidery machine! Congrats!!

I find that I have to use what my "machine" likes, or I will be threading and re-threading all day. I have a very expensive and temperamental Bernina that should be re-called by the company.

Hope that you will heed the great advice from the above posters and start small instead of buying in bulk initially and learning that you, or even more importantly in my opinion, your machine, doesn't like the thread. A while back I bought a large amount of beautiful thread from Metro Threads. It works really well with my Janome MC11000, but my Baby Lock Sophia doesn't like it a bit. She will only tolerate Robinson-Anton. That makes me really wish I personally knew the poster above who noted that she had thrown away all of her RA thread. Almost made me cry!!!

I think you have made a wise decision to purchase an entire set of all colors. I did and I can't tell you how many times an embroidery design called for some weird color (for shading) that I would have never purchased on my own. I agree with the other posters. You will need to decide on thread fiber, with poly and rayon being the most common. Then get a couple spools from various manufacturers. Some machines are very fussy about thread and you want to make sure that the brand you choose will play nice with your machine.

Not sure what brand machine you have...I have Husqvarna Viking, SE and use ONLY European made threads as is recomended for European made machines. Reason bing, Europan made machines are calibrated or watever for those particular threads and the way they are made. Also, itmakes a differencesometimes on the design you are making as to the weight ofthe thread and the type. Sometimes Sulky works great and sometimes Robison Anton works well and etc. I have a grand mixture and sometimes it depends on availability of thread and color. I think it's a personal preference thing. Good Luck