Another hand quilter here that uses W&N. I have no issues with it. I use Roxanne #11 betweens mostly...sometimes #12. And I don't worry about a 'right' or 'wrong' side to the batting either (discussed in another thread here). As to quilting design, sorry I'm no help there. It's always my hardest point in the process. Do you have any stencils on hand? See if any of those 'speak' to you?