I'm with Cathe. Just be honest. If they're trying to be mean, they won't know what to say. If they're not, they'll appreciate your honesty. I honestly don't get the "hand only" quilting snobbery. I think the finished art is the whole point, how you get there is up to the artist. I've been lucky, I guess, that no one has ever been mean to me about my quilts. I don't understand snobbery or mean-spirited criticism. But, judging from the many posts here from others, I know it is out there. Just don't stoop to their level.

I think what PatriciaJ said was perferct. She just cracks me up all the time. As for the "Quilt Police" there is none and we all make the quilts the way we enjoy them. As for machine quilting I would love to try it. I am real scared to do it. I have a Singer Simplicy 1316 (I think), anyway I use it to piece, but don't have the darning nor the even feet. but manual states don't need them and that I can just take the feet off and try it that way. Just way too scare to try, but someday. Hand quilting does take a lot of time, but it is relaxing and I can do while watching TV, etc. If I do not learn or try machine quilting, I will never get all the quilts done that I want too, but oh well, life goes on.