I like to do both, or mix them, depending on the patern and for whom it is destined. I do think hand quilting is nore relaxing. I take mine to the front porch in the summertime, no sitting in that little room at the machine for hours. In colder weather, I can watch my tv shows and quilt away. Right nowe I'm machine quilting a table topper, because I don't want to take the time to do otherwise.