Hi,
I have quilted items like that. There is a local designer in our area called Debra Gabel. She makes delightful wallhanging patterns under the name Zebra.
I don't do a lot of machine quilting but I like to use decorative stitches and lots of decorative thread. She recommends quilting her designs with just the batting and top. It does hide a lot of problems.
Your problem may have been because you had the batting up side down. Batting does have a right and wrong side. Half the time I can't tell the difference but there is one. If you examine it closely there is a scrim on one side. It kind of holds the fibers together. Using a paper stabilizer helps so does car waxing your machine table surface. That also makes the fabric move easily. The tigher woven and thinner the batting the better success you will have.
Good luck