Hello all... I'm pretty certain the batting is a cotton-poly blend... all the remnant packages in my cabinet are cotton-poly blends. I did not know there was a right side and a wrong side! Will pay more attention next time! And rush8888, I've changed needles and still had the problem, but that was definitely a possibility. JulieR, yes "bearding"... I could not, for the LIFE of me, think of that term yesterday when I posted this!! :-) I'd heard it before, but couldn't remember... Well, I'll let you know when its been washed what happens. The "beards" are tiny, just enough for me to see, really, but on the dark fabric and I'm quilting with dark thread, that first stitch just has the tiniest bit of batting in it... and once in a great while a not-so-tiny piece. Thank you, everyone, for your help!! My quilty friend is coming over today to play... Very excited!!