There are more of us than you might think - I hand quilt, hand piece and hand appliqué.

Janet

Have those who have difficulty hand quilting tried the "stab stitch" technique. You may or may not like it but might be an alternative. Also there is a "thimble" somewhat like a paddle that I am told is good for those having difficult with the traditional thimble.
Hand quilting is still alive and well. For years and up to this year I taught for a traveling convention and usually had one class per event with from 15-20 students and 8 events a year - do the math.

I am brand new here but have read comments
for several months. Hand quilter all the way. I do machine piece, but hand appliqué and quilting is relaxing for me. Sitting at a machine is not too pleasant for me but hunkering down under a quilt hoop certainly is!

*raises hand*

I am also a hand quilter !

I used to piece and quilt by hand, I appreciate the technique. I like the machine quilting more than I thought I would, with faster results.

I am new to quilting. I have taken a class in FMQ but so far have just practiced on muslin squares and I'm not so sure about it - probably need more practice. I recently bought supplies for hand quilting, including a book to teach myself.

Present and accounted for!! Been hand quilting over 30 years. Just getting into machine quilting (afraid my hands won't hold up, need an alternative).

I have handquilted three I think. One is queen sized and took a long time, one reason is I kept putting it down and picking it up, over months. I will do it again. I enjoy it. Right now I have no motivation even to piece. So waiting for that to reappear too.

I am also a hand quilter. I only do wholecloths - and the more I have done, the more I love them.