I'm going to do my quilt in the hand quilt big stitch style that Billie Lauder has done a book on. I think this will go fast for me because I need the Queen size quilt done by Christmas. She recommends that you use pearle cotton. I have lots of quilting thread but not perle cotton. Do you think if I use the regular quilting thread that it will be okay? The batting in the quilt is a very thin polyester blend, almost like what you use for crafts. Suggestions please?

To me the big stitch just looks like bad quilting in regular thread. I think it needs a big thread to look nice.

big stitch needs big thread

If you use regular thread, it just looks like you need some more practice. The big thread looks like it is intended.

I use the large balls of crochet thread for big stitch and it works just fine.

What size crochet thread do you use. I have some size 10, would that work?

Here's some info I found
Embroidery Threads Cotton perle (pearl) embroidery threads, although generally softer and more shiny than crochet cotton, may be used in crochet patterns as follows:- #5 perle is a little thicker than #10 crochet cotton but is suitable for most #10 cotton patterns; #8 perle is about the same as #20 crochet cotton and #12 perle is about the same as #40 crochet cotton.

from here:
http://www.crochetaustralia.com.au/webcontent3.htm

Thank you for the information.