I completely understand. I would prefer handquilting any day. I do machine quilt the Linus quilts I make and any ones I make for new babies etc. I know that most young mother's at least the ones in my family will wash any quilt I give them at least weekly if not more often. While I love to handquilt I am not willing to envision my handwork going through the wash cycle so many times. Almost 11 years ago I was stricken with a rare autoimmune disease that left me with weak proximal muscles, mainly shoulders and hips. Machine quilting anything bigger than a crib size is very hard on my arms and shoulders. When I attach the binding on bed size quilts I have to have my husband feed me the quilt so that I don't have to drag all of that weight around.
Many of my quilt friends who began doing machine or long arm quilting for others have burned out quickly. I know of several who have sold their long arm machines.