I just spent the afternoon making a sampler of all my decorative stitches. It took me quite a while. I made a quilt sandwich out of some scraps I have.
Some of them end up looking pretty utilitarian when they are stitched out, but some were definitely very pretty. I can imagine using them in a quilt. And the best part is that the look just as good on the bottom.
I tried out some variegated thread just for fun, and also some metallic thread. I am pretty sure some of them would have looked better in one color. Also, if you're nervous about the bobbin, I've had good results using monofilament thread in the bobbin with regular thread on the top. Then the stitches would be invisible on the bottom.