I've never used W&N, but I do use Walmart polyester batting, mostly the traditional type. I've done both machine and hand quilting without "difficulty" but I'm certainly no authority. I didn't find it hard to stitch through.

I've only handquilted two things. Both had Wal-Mart batting.. nothing special.

As for the border color, the blue pops out at me.
Don't know if you're wanting a design or ?? for the quilting.
If it were mine, I would probably do a diagional stitch.

**Love your Peanuts window in the background. I collect Snoopy!

I only have Walmart for batting and have hand quilted several. Works good for me.

Great job!

Very nice.

Very pretty!

Very pretty colors.

Pretty colors. Perhaps a baptist fan quilting desisgn would be good or a clamshell.

Nice job, thank you for sharing
Have a Blessed day
Ellen

When I took a hand quilting class several years ago, the instructor told us as beginners we should start with a low loft polyester batting and a good needle. It is easier to get a needle through and less frustrating than cotton, and most new quilters don't want to pay for wool. Someone told me to use cotton batting and I still haven't finished that one. I did a GFG with the polyester and it went much easier.

She also suggested you keep a practice piece to warm up on. She said she still did it to warm her hands up, it avoided those first few awkward stitches.

Good luck, it looks like a very good choice of patterns to learn on.