Gracie,
THere is a method of quilting that suits everyone. Most of us peice or applique by machine as it is faster and would seem to be more secure. I am a hand quilter but do machine quilt smaller items especially those for children or persons who have no idea how to care for hand work. Much depends on what the item will be used for, how much time you have to complete the work and how much time you have available.
I enjoy hand quilting because I can watch TV, listen to music or be a part of a conversation while quilting. Machine quilting is noisy and requires paying closer attention since you are operating a machine.
There is a place in the quilt world for everyone be they purist who do everything including peicing and applique by hand to the ones who fuse, paste or even paint their quilts. Whatever makes you happy and gets the job done.
Welcome to our world.