I had no idea it mattered, either. I tend to put the smoothest side up, so I've been doing it wrong. Never had any trouble with 'bearding' tho.... but I fmq on my dsm only. You learn a lot reading on the Quilting Board!
I too have switched to Hobbs 80/20 because it feels like the cotton but is so much lighter and IMO, nicer. It has a little loft, and the W&W doesn't. It's my favorite.