It all depends if you want the stitching to pop or blend in ? If you want it to pop go with a contrasting color- blend in match the thread to the fabric. Bobbin thread should not matter as it will be underneath and no one will see it :wink:

What a fun block - how creative :thumbup:

Zig-zaq would look good.

Depends on the look you want. I would use SID and gray thread if you don't want to see stitches or as suggested above, use one bright color thread and zigzag. Either way, you are going to have a fun quilt. Enjoy.

I would do a close to the edge straight stitch in red. I think that would be called raw edge applique.

i think zig zag and would be fun to match the thread color

I must be the oddball because I vote for a black satin stitch (tight zig zag) on the overlap of each piece and a looser zig zag just catching the round outside in white or off-white to match the background fabric. I think that will make the ball look more 3 dimensional.

I agree!

Also, If I were making 13 of these, I would pick one color and use it for both top and bobbin. Or, a different color could be used on each beach ball.

I'd probably stitch the seams in black. Just my opinion here but I like black when I want to emphasize a design element.

My sewing machine doesn't seem to like invisible thread, but if yours does, that would be easiest. I like the idea of variegated myself!

If your machine has a zig zag, it probably has the blind stitch too, check it out. Very similar to the blanket stitch but has the same results. Just try it first on something else so you have the stitches all going in the same direction. If you use matching thread in each section, the stitching will barely be visable. Try different lengths and widths; alot depends on the size of each section of color and where you place the stitching.
I like the idea for the ball.

Carol J.