Warm and natural bearded horribly for me when I hand quilted on a dark colored border. I was using regular quilting thread and tried many sizes of needles before I just gave up on the bearding and plowed through the rest of the quilting. I switched to a wool batting and it is much better. I hand quilt by running the needle up and down, not a rocking stitch. I read somewhere the up/down stitch is easier over thick seams. Also, use a hoop - it eliminates puckers and makes it easier to handle the quilt.