I sew alone.One friend says she doesn't do thread. Another has huge embroidiery machines and just does that.Some times I go to the sewing circle at theCOUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE.AND SEW WITH A BUNCH OF LADIES .The instructors are great and so are the other sewers. It is from 3-8 ix month they even feed us supper.It is great if your having a problem or a question.This is where my quilting got started back.