Try several brands and see the differences before you use one for a large project. Some batting will beard horribly on dark fabrics, some is softer to quilt through, some is coarser and scratchier. You may even want to use two layers of a soft batt to get the right amount of stuffing. I like the thin denser batts that are easier to trim. The newest batt I have tried and loved is Quilter's Dream Poly, in the mid-weight.
Small needles make small holes, and holes can cause so much trouble in machine quilting.
In my last quilt, I used 2 packs of needles just for the quilting. Universal needles are fine for piecing. The thin thread is much less noticeable than thicker thread. For tiny stippling in the background, you need to use very fine thread and a fine needle. Try some of the new RJR or Kaufman cotton Sateen - it looks beautiful quilted, is soft and drapey, and has a nice sheen even after washing.