Hi Claude, So far my Designer Diamond prefers Madeira over all the other brands I have tried.
Hugs n love, Meganne

PS, I buy it from Shoppers Rule

I have a Designer 1 and run most brands of Metallic thread in it with good results. I find that some of the metallics require me to set the Top Thread tension down just a bit so they rum smoother through the thread tension.
I also use a metallic Needle when I stitch with the metallic thread. Either the Schmetz Metallica needles or the Organ Large Eye Needles (15x1ST) in a size 12/80.
Both have a larger eye for the thread to run through easily.
Also I slow down the D1 abit when stitching with metallic thread.

I recently bought Kingstar Metallic thread and like it alot. It comes in many colors ans it stitches out great. many say it is one of the best metallic threads and I tend to agree with them.

I buy it from the link below.
http://www.embstore.com/m-2-kingstar.aspx

I use other brands of metallic thread such as Madeira, Yesmet, Sulky and other cheaper brands like Gutterman and they all run fine in the D1.
Some are smoother than others.

I think you just have to test stich first and if you need to set the top thread tension down abit to get a good stitch out with out thread breaks.

I have used metallic thread in FSL and used the metallic in both the top thread and bobbin thread.

When winding on the bobbin I slow the machine down too.
I find that some designs stitch better with metallic thread than others.
Very dense designs can present problems when using metallic threads.

EastWitch2