I've "only" been quilting for ten years or so, but have always been in the "cotton" for batting generation. I always "looked down" at using poly batting as it reminded me of cheap comforters.
Until this week.
I took in a quilt to quilt for a senior lady who had made a lovely log cabin pattern. I cringed when she showed me the precious backing material - only an inch wider and longer than the quilt top.
Then she showed me the batting. Medium loft poly. Arg. I tried not to let my bias show, but I'm not sure if I was successful.
Well, Humble pie time. It quilted up beautifully. The quilting she chose was not dense - about 3"apart at the widest, and the SITD work went well.
I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't pucker at all on the backing. Since the backing fabric was rather plain, it would have really shown if it puckered.
So, she was happy, and I learned to relax my opinion a little.
For me, I still love the feel and warmth of cotton. But if a customer asks for poly, I won't necessarily try to change her mind.