When I took a class on needle turn hand applique, the lady who taught the class also recommended silk thread, but she also said this..."if you do applique right, you should be able to use any color thread and it won't show"...I found that silk thread breaks easily and I wanted my projects to be sturdier, so I have used other threads, but by taking tiny stitches the way she taught me, they all work beautifully! Enjoy your time learning and absorb all you can and you will find your own "comfort" and style once you know the basics!