I used a blue needle (Jean) once I did that I had no problem quilting. The quilt looks great it just is so smelly...hoping once it dries it will not smell. I am not sure what I am going to do with this...I doubt I will keep it. then again it will keep the cats off the guest bed. It was the first time that the cats did not go near me while quilting. if you want to keep your cats out of the sewing room buy a small piece of the batting and put it in the room. They will not go in that room...really.