As a LAQ, I much prefer polyester threads for all the reasons you state, appearance, strength and no lint. I do have some cottons in my stash but given a choice, I will choose poly over cotton for quilting on a LA. Even fine detail work I use a 100 wt poly (invisifil) because I really have a hard time shelling out the $$ for silk thread when I can get the same look using invisifil. Hand quilting, I do like cotton but I also hand quilt with a much heavier weight thread.