Hi, echo--do not let the Quilt Police put you off! they have no statutory power to arrest you :>), so do not let it get to you!
By the way, I use poly thread too--AND as I said in my earlier post sheets for back, and BLANKETS instead of batting--horrors!!!!!!
The budget dictates what I use, and 160 + quilts and tops for charities in the last 4 or 5 years is much more important than silly "rules" someone comes up with!
You owe NO ONE an apology! though they might owe you one!