You don't say if you intend hand quilting, or machine, stitch in the ditch, straight line, free motion? IF by machine, then I would say *not* the red. I'd match thread to the areas of the quilt, so navy on the solid areas and cream on the light print. My rule for myself is that if I want my FMQ to show up, I use a thread a couple of shades lighter than the fabric -- so it is visible, but it doesn't dominate. Lighter marking on a darker background is less jarring and more forgiving of the potential skewed stitch here or there.