I used Warm and Natural batting, and blocks stick to it easily. I only have to use pins when the top is about finished and it gets heavy. I have a picture of it somewhere. Let me look.
It is insulation board (from Lowe's...has Pink Panther on it), with the batting duck taped on it. Mine is portable, just move it out of the way when I am not using it.
Okay, I couldn't find the picture I was thinking of, but maybe these two will help? I do not know how I quilted before I made my design wall.
Dina