I like working with fleece - I get the anti-pill kind and I use batting. I like the weight of it. Minky - I absolutely HATE working with it but I have a client that wants all of her blankets backed with Minky, so I use it. It's such a pain to work with and when you cut it, it goes everywhere. I've gotten the store brand at JoAnn's, as well as at my LQS when it's on sale, and I use batting on those blankets as well. Unfortunately, I can't give you any tips on buying online, as I have never done that.