I know someone more knowledgeable will give you a great answer, but my newbie quess is...hand quilting thread is coated to keep it from tangling....long arm probably isn't...but that isn't to say you couldn't use it. How's that for ambiguous?

Yes, the only reason hand-quilting thread is waxed, is to make it easier on the human pulling it through the work, by reducing drag on the thread. You can use machine quilting thread when hand quilting, but you shouldn't use hand-quilting thread in the machine, because the coating will gunk up your machine.

There is a product called Thread Heaven that conditions your thread for hand sewing. It comes in a little blue box - you just drag the thread across the Thread Heaven and you're good to go.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread Heaven

Thanks for the great info.

Joan