I shop sale bins first. The fabric that was a must have now is usually in the sale bin a few months later. Same fabric. Thread manufacturing is all about the same now so any good quality brand is fine with me. I won't have a machine that is picky about thread anyway. I have a Bernina, Juki, Brother, and Singer. They all sew with whatever thread I use with no problem. I have won several first place ribbons, one Best in Show, and one Viewer's choice at our local quilt shows over the years so I'm confident in being the whatever works for me quilter.