We've been playing with that variegated color thread-which seems to be metallic. Did have trouble with needle breaking thread- switched to ball needle slowed speed down can't use this thread in small letters or fine detail looks terrible in large satin stitch Did a large 'dragonfly' from the Treasure chest and created a 'fill' for the wings and body-the stock Dakota design was ugly and looked more like scribbles than a dragonfly. With the wings done in variegated and the body in pink I think-it really jumped off the tote bag! Had tried a company 'name' with small thin letters in the variegated and it continually broke thread. So we use it only for larger fill and larger letters-not for columns or lines that are narrow, and no lettering that is skinny. Speed made a big difference-had to run it somewhere around 700 or so I think. Roland