I gave up for a while, and decided that that cone of thread on my desk was not going to get the best of me! What a challenge. But, now I want to try something with it since I found the end. I purchased 2 5000m cones from Marathon thread - colors that were recommended by Dainty Stitches. They are beautiful - one is called Fallen Snow, which is a metallic (#3015), and the second was is a 40 WT vaigated called Baby Breath (#5001). Both very pretty - They were more expensive than the Metro cones, but I did want to try to colors. I will show them off once I can make myself go back into the sewing room. I have not really used Marathon before, but their customer service was very helpful in helping me with he colors.