I keep black Hobbs batting on stock because i don't want to chance getting bearding...haven't so far. I have been using poly select from Quilter's Dream. It has a good feel and is lightweight and I never get bearding with it. I use Aurifil cotton thread and a size #16 needle. I will also use poly thread and no problem.
I have some quilts that have been washed many, many times that were quilted with cotton thread and have not had any thread breakage..of course they were all quilted with cotton quilting thread.