I have quilted many bright tops with black backs for hospital incubator covers. The natural colored batting with skrim ( 80/20) never beards, even with a large needle. But l prefer the black, because if the backing even touches the white batting while being mounted, there is lint. Now l know there is also lint transfer when using black...but it doesn't show. Since the covers are washed before use, it doesn't really matter. But if it's a gift, it might be an issue. However, that said, l would not use black if the top had white or ivory parts.