aborning, the bumpy side of the batting goes "up", against the underside of the quilt top. If the batting has a scrim layer, it always goes against the quilt back, because one purpose of the scrim is to prevent batting from bearding through to the outside.

On cotton batting I have always told myself " eyes up".... Those itty bitty nubbies facing me.....never had beadring, but I also change needle frequently....and have found a few new needles with a burr....use a narrow strip of crocus cloth and gently smooth needle tip.......has worked for 20+yrs of L/A for self and clients.