Wow on the comments of W&N......I used to use it all the time and liked it quite well. I do use Dream Cotton now, it is a thinner cotton batting and my needle appears to go thru it easier than W&N. I only hand-quilt.
Bearding - if you're quilting on dark fabrics, then get a black batting where you won't notice the bearding as much. W&N does have a "right & wrong" side, but I don't know which is what and that is to minimize the bearding. Always make sure you're using a sharp/new needle.
Yes, cotton battings "grab" the needle, but I prefer that, it allows me to keep my needle in the position I want it, leading to even stitches.
Quilting thru seams - Some I can quilt thru, some I do a stab stitch (pushing the needle all the way thru to the bottom, and the pushing the needle up towards the top. Other times I will make the "stitch" look like it's there by just sliding the needle under the top layer, not going all the way thru the layers.
Can't wait to see your quilt.