I have used black batting on two quilts where the background fabric was black. On one all the other fabrics were batiks and on the other it was a mix of batiks and regular printed quilting cottons.

On one, ( http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...l-t270708.html ) I got some shadowing through the lightest yellow batik in the center star. On the other, ( http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...p-t127559.html )

which I hand quilted, I got no shadowing on the lighter colors. Not sure if it was because of the less dense hand quilting or not because it is the same yellow batik fabric in both.

In the future, I will only use black batting in a predominantly dark quilt. If it has any light colors at all, I will not use it unless I line the light fabrics.

I usually use dark batting when I have a dark quilt backing.

Nope, never noticed that it did.

I used black batting (Hobbs 80/20) for a customers quilt that had a black backing the front was all colors. I didn't want to chance some bearding because the fabric was looser weave than normal. Had to special order it so I ordered 2 so I would have it in case I need it again.

Thanks, everyone. These are tightly woven batiks, so after reading all your replies, I think I'll be OK using a regular batting.Watson

Use black batting ( Hobbs) When I make quilt with black backgrounds and black backing. ( like my Backyard Gathering quilt- which is wool appliqué on black flannel with black cotton backing) black batting is nice to work with. I haven't tried it on a quilt with multiple colors. I did use ( Dream green) batting in a quilt with mostly light fabrics, even whites and had No show through at all. It too was nice to work with.

I've never used black nor have I ever had issues with bearding even on the darkest of fabrics. Make sure you use the correct size needle for your project and make a small test...

When my quilter says black batting is the ticket, I say ok. Personally I don't think it matters, but I use what she recommends.
Just my2 bits.

I have not had good luck with black batting. Usually I go with W&N for darks and W&W for lights.

I've used black bat on several quilts with lots of black background and backing. Just don't want to risk bearding! I've used both Hobbs Tuscany and Hobbs Heirloom and recently have used the black poly from Keepsake Quilting (maybe Quilters Dream, but can't remember and their newest catalog doesn't have any bats)--actually on the quilt waiting for binding, I wanted to double the bat and used the black poly on top of a Hobbs Heirloom.

I've not had lots of problems with significant bearding, but recently saw a quilt that really had lots of white "pokies" on the black backing.