I use Ecru or off-white for most everything, except Black or Navy. At guild I learned that if you use Black thread with Navy fabric, it is easier to "unsew"--take out. If you use Navy with Black fabric, the same thing. Would never have thought it. But, it works! Sometimes on pastels I try to match the thread and the fabric. But if I don't have the thread I just use the Ecru and it works great. Good luck! Mariah.