When I first started quilting in 1975, I did it all by ha nd, the piecing and quilting, made my own templates, everything. Then about 8 years ago I decided if I wanted to make all the quilts, I want to make, I better get busy!! So I learned how to use a rotary cutter, bought me a featherweight and I was off.Im loving it. There's no way I would have gotten all the quilts made I have made in the last 8 years, and Im still going strong. If I live to be 100 I still won't get all the quilts made that I want to, b ut thats ok, I've come alot closer.