I started out making quilts the same way your grandma did. Cardboard templets, hand piecing and quilting. Although it was a good way to learn when the modern cutting tools and wonderful patterns began to come on the market, I grabbed them and would never go back!
The old quilts are amazing because of the labor intensive methods they used. But, why would you want to go backwards? I hope you don't take this wrong, I am just wondering.