Bearding usually does not go away. Did you prewash the backing fabric? I don't normally prewash but, in this case, I would -- especially since the backing is red. It would take care of not only the possibility of dye bleeds, but probably would "tighten up" the weave of the backing fabric so bearding would be less likely. I also agree that the batting may have been sandwiched wrong-side up (although bearding can happen even when batting is sandwiched correctly) and that it is a good idea to use a new needle.