variegated works well but costs tons more than regular thread... take to your thread supply and pull off a yard or two and lay across the quilt....after 4 or 5 choices, it will appear pretty obvious... the spool won't do it... you have to put a bit off the spool and lay across several colors in the top... you will be surprised at what looks good... i have a color from joann's called 'Sand' and it is a gold/pale, pale green/beige and it goes with about 70 percent of peoples quilts...it seems to pick up and reflect whatever's there... but try your threads at home first, you may have something that's just right...