are you using the correct size needle for the thread you are using? the (pokies) will probably disappear when the quilt is laundered- you didn't say what kind of minkie---is it the curly (long-haired) minkie or the smooth (like fleece) minkie?
it you are having stitch issues on the top of the quilt it is a bobbin tension problem--i'm unclear about this where you said- contrasting on the back and top tension too tight---the threads on the back (minkie side) should disappear in the nap of the fabric- loosen your top tension some if the top thread is showing on the back.