I use Glide poly in my midarm because (1) it is much less linty than any of the cotton threads I have used, including King Tut; (2) it is a softer thread and I like to do close quilting, so the quilt comes out softer; (3) it has a little bit of shine to it, which adds just a touch of sparkle to the quilt; (4) it never shreds or breaks on me.

Connecting Threads 100% cotton thread. Love it!

On my DSM, I use Superior's Sew Fine #50.

My problem wasn't with my thread, my needle and tension were wrong. I use Coats and Clark 35 wt.

Okay, here I am showing my ignorance. I didn't know you should match thread and needle and I use Coats and CLark al purpose thread. What SHOULD I be doing? Why use polyester thread with cotton material? How do you match the thread and needle to know what size needle goes with what wt. thread? I just use an 11 needle usually and use it until it breaks, which is often enough that I don't fear the needle being dull. The thread, however, I don't even pay attn to the weight. Someone school me please! Also, I have never heard of Auriful thread. I only have JoAnns as my option for buying things around here, do they sell it there? I haven't seen it but then again, I didn't know to look. OMG This board is so informative, what would I do without all of you? This is what I get for trying to teach myself quilting, LOL

Also check the face plate to make sure there is no burr on the edge where the thread enters. That can also cause your thread to fray. I, too, like Aurifil. Expensive, but since it is to thin, it goes a very long way.

I would start here: http://www.superiorthreads.com/This website has everything you need to know about thread and needles. It took me a long time to understand why the thread wt and ply and what type needle to use with each thread type was important. I rarely have thread or tension problems on any of my machines. Superior thread is excellent thread brand.

Check your threads...take (10") of thread and pull to see how easy it breaks. If it breaks easy don't use it.

But I really think your needle is too small. The eye is rubbing and causing it to fray.

Maybe everyone else knows this, but in case not (I sure didn't!):

I had trouble with fraying and breaking thread, and that problem was cured when I learned that spools are meant to be unwound from the side, and cones from the top.
When I learned that, my machine used any thread I put in it.

Most of the time,I find if my thread freys it's a needle issue not the thread.Try changing your needle more often.If you are using a long arm,you might need to turn the needle right or left ever so slightly.Dead nuts right on isn't always what these machines need.