I think it depends on what you are making it for. For a bed quilt I like it to be soft and puffy, something useful and comfortable so I have been using 2 layers of high loft batting (I know this is not what people tend to recommend but I like it for bed quilts). If I was making a wall hanging I would certainly use something like a cotton batting, or like a table runner. I believe it is all in what you plan to use it for. I like my quilts with less quilting in it and not all kinds of thread, just my personal feeling about it.