I do quite a bit of handquilting and prefer the low loft polyester because to do the tiny stiches I find that it does easier. I have tried the 80/20, but it was not easy to make the small stitches. In fact after quilting about 2 square feet on a wallhanging, I was having a hard time making the small stitches. I was lying in bed thinking about it and decided that I didn't like it. So I got up and started taking out all of the stitches I had done. I replaced the batting with polyester and was much happier. In fact I got a 2nd place ribbon in our quilt show. I also use either a size 11 or 12 size needle.