I'm only just learning some handquilting myself, so can't offer too much advice, but I will say I think you should proceed with the handstitching and not switch to machine. My work still looks the best if I don't try to get too many stitches on the needle. Also, it looks better if I enter the top of the quilt with the needle perpendicular to the quilt--not at a lesser angle. I'm "rocking," but not to much rocking at once! It gets harder for me to do that if I have many stitches on the needle.