Hi, Ann, I buy my Isacord poly thread by Ackermann from Threadetc.com. Once a month, they have a sale column with 1000M spools at $3.20 each...that's a lot of thread per spool. I always order 10 at a time, so that with shipping it amounts to cheaper than my local dealer. I'm getting close now to having all 365 colors, but have bought the larger 5000M spools in often-used colors, such as black, white, Christmas red and green. Nothing is nicer than having the colors that are called for in a design. I also buy large cones of bobbin thread in white...bobbin thread is finer. I have some limited colored bobbin thread as well but usually white does very well. I have been attending a monthly embroidery software class for about 2 years now. If your dealer offers that, it is invaluable. There's always something new to learn with machine embroidery. We all learn in different ways, no one size fits all. You mentioned embroidering towels. If you do that, you will want to get sticky back stabilizer and just lay the towel on top of it (don't try to hoop the towel...too thick), and lay a water solible topper over the towel. The topper prevents your stitches from "sinking" into the loops of the terrycloth. One brand name is "Aqua Film" but there are others. It's important to use embroidery needles when doing machine embroidery because those needles have a larger eye and groove to protect the lightweight threads. If you hold the needle sideways, you'll notice a notch on the back of the needle. This is the scarf which is specially designed for embroidery and also protects the thread. Embroidery needles also hold up better under the friction created by these fast machines. Titanium needles last the longest but are expensive. I always put a new needle in the machine for each new project. Check out the Gallery in the Sewing Forum for some embroidery I've done. The embroidered lace Christmas ornaments are really fun to do...if you need any tips on doing embroidered lace, let me know. Mary L

I would think Brother's cards would fit all their machines, wouldn't you? They are expensive, though. I only have the 2 that came with my machine. I got it at a show last year and got a great deal - 1/2 the list price plus a boatload of extra stuff - couldn't pass it up! You know what they say - easier to ask for forgiveness than to get permission :-))))! DH took it pretty well...

Hi tectmum1...I have a PE 200 (snoopy machine) and I'm pretty sure they thread the same. Would you like me to scan the manual page & email it to you? Or better yet, if you don't have a manual, you can D/L free from Brother site in PDF form...then print off. The threading is actually very easy once you know the path, or follow the numbers. I would be happy to help you..contact me via my profile page.

Does anyone know if you can purchase the Innovis 4000D without the Disney designs? I read somewhere that you can't get the machine without Disney designs in the USA. Or is the Babylock Elegante what you have to get? I love the way you can thread a bobbin in the machine without having to move hoop and the Babylock dealer told me you have to remove the hoop with the Elegante. I was given a price of $4800 for the Innovis 4000D (floor model -about a month old) with the newe upgrade installed and the continuous hoop and I think she said about $4600 for a new one in box but no upgrade and no continuous hoop. I think the Babylock was about the same. Any help for me--I'm in a quandry? The Innovis did a BEAUTIFUL Disney design and I wasn't too impressed with the Elegante design (had empty spaces in design) but then maybe that was the way it was digitized too!!!