I used a pre-printed panel with a Pennsylvania Dutch motif that I got at Jo-Ann's so that I could learn how to hand quilt. I used regular Hand quilting thread, which is a little more dense than regular thread, and had so many flowers that I could keep quilting or stop at any point, and it would still look complete.
Then I found a site that showed how to do continuous prairie points - which are so much fun (!) and added that to the quilt.
This may be my favorite quilt so far.
Re: the embroidery thread. I have embroidered since childhood and still do - a lot. As you pull embroidery thread through your fabic you may find that it has a tendency to shred. I have only found this recently, in the last few years. This is something to consider.