I had always done it all by machine - then read in a magazine that finishing by hand stitching it on the back is the best way. I now do that while watching TV with my DH in the evening. With all the fancy stitches on my machine I have started doing the blanket stitch and it looks nice. So from now on - it will depend on the quilt and my mood.
Love the idea of using that time to pray for who ever is getting the quilt- especially for a new baby.