Hi-I mostly hand-quilt and hand applique-but have done some machine applique as well. I am only beginning to learn to FMQ small items on my Brother machine. I have a walking foot, but since I mostly hand-quilt, I use it for sewing on all my bindings, then hand-stitching it on the back. I wouldn't do binging without it!! It handles the thickness evenly without "pulling", making the binding pucker. Machine quilting should take most any thickness or type of batting, but hand-quilting is more limited. I think it would be worth at least giving hand-quilting a go-I LOVE the hand-made look and find it so relaxing-who knows, maybe you will also really like it. It doesn't mean you have to always hand-quilt, but there might be that one project that really would benefit from the look of hand-quilting. There are many TUTS available on line (U-tube) with excellent instruction. Good luck!