I am new to quilting and have chosen hand quilting for 2 reasons..............gives me something to do with my hands when I am watching mindless TV or in the car and I am find it easier to be more accurate. Try hand quilting and if you like to quilt you might want to invest in a machine later on. But then, you might decide hand quilting is the only way. I do not find it that slow like some do...............I think it goes pretty fast once you get started.