I like all the variations of quilting...tying, hand quilting and machine quilting. Each creates a different look and some tops just cry out for one or another to get the effect you're aiming for. I have not yet learned how to machine quilt and am not sure I will like it, although I've seen some really awesome work by those of you who do it. To me hand quilting is the slow steady traditional way that speaks "handmade" to me. Even if I machine piece, I still like hand quilting or tying as the means of finishing the quilt. Not a fast method though! Although I heard a story about someone at a quilt show who professed to being able to hand quilt as fast as any of the machine quilters...she would certainly beat me for sure!