I have done both. I think hand work is very good to get used to cutting exactly, piecing accurately and feeling the fabric as artwork.
I have made several quilts with not one dot of machine sewing in them. They are rugged and loved by the people I gave them to.
I recommend for the long haul, piecing by machine and hand-quilting, but do what makes you feel happy and it will be right.
Try it first, and spend your money on great fabric, and after you have mastered accuracy and exact...cutting, get creative and wildly imaginative.
You would be amazed what you can do with one 1 1/2 inch square cut from dozens of different coordinating and clashing fabrics.
By the way, sew yoru name and the date into every thing you ever sew. Archivists of the future will love you. Happy sewing.