Why don't you consider a varigated pink thread since there are so many shades and values in the quilt.
Rotary Cutting. Learn to cut accurately. You will be glad you did and it will take a lot of frustration out of it. Watch some of the internet tutorials or if you are close to a shop that teaches, ask if they have a class in rotary cutting.
1/4" seam. this is another absolute in quilting. If you want the pieces to fit together they will be cut and sewed accurately. Get one of the 1/4" feet for your machine if you don't have one or measure and put some tape on the base of the machine to guide you. And watch your starts and stops. Make sure you start at the accurate 1/4 seam allowance and end. Sometimes we tend to stop watching the guide and the needle goes off before getting to the end of the seam.
There are not a lot of MUSTS in quiltmaking but the three that are: Accurate marking or alignment of the ruler, accurate cutting and accurate piecing. All the rest is what you the quiltmaker bring to the craft/art.