Ok so my gut feeling was to go with an off white thread and I think that is the way it will be. I knew the red would be too harsh and I am just afraid to put the invisible on this one. I am thinking I will use off white on the back as I dont want the red to pull through at all. If I could wait I might give that other thread a try but I promised this a year ago and it is high time it moves on its way to California to my baby. DGD's was nice and easy she wanted a taggie blanket and I was allowed to do whatever I wanted. But my DGS is a very strong minded 9 yr old and he knew what he wanted..