One more thing......about rug making-beginnings

I really, really DON'T recomment tearing or cutting up your odd and unwanted FQ's an/or yardages,unless you feel really committed to the idea of making a rug. It's alot of prep work to make one, and you might be better off to prepare a small amount of strips and try it before you jump off the deep end *VBS* Since you only get 10 single crochet stitches from a 36" strip of fabric, you are only going to get just over HALF that from a FQ strip. It IS a great way to use up stuff you don't want or that the quality isn't as good, but i'ts a long long way out to a 30+" round rug. Just so you KNOW that when you start. Regarding the UTILITY quilting and PERLE cotton, I will get back to you gals with some sort of a tutorial on that subject.
Perle cotton tread has been around for ages. It comes in shanks, but also on rolls. I think you could find it most places that sell craft supplies. Maybe you JoAnn's gals know if they handle it?? I get mine here and there as I come across it, and since I've been using it for more than 10 years now, I have many, many colors. I use the size 8 for most everything. Size 5 is available but is thicker than size 8. The bigger the number, the finer the tread. A size 12 is almost like quilting thread. And yes, you DO need a needle with a bigger eye. Often a crewel embroidery needle will work, or some of the larger eyed embroidery needles. The whole idea is to get a bigger stitch that shows up more on the fabric, goes faster and has a more primative look about it. It looks great on flannel quilts.
It's spelled PERLE, because it was originally(maybe still is) a product of France. I know DMC makes it, and most of mine is DMC. I will write more and show more examples soon.