And if you do use the silk thread, you can tie a knot in it up close to the eye of the needle so that it doesn't keep pulling out and make you rethread so many times you want to scream. I presonally love the silk thread for applique as it practically disappears into the fabric. I just buy one light and one dark color thread. Don't even have to bother buying all kinds of colors to match since it disappears into the applique.