I am finishing up the JoAnn Fabric quilt block of the month from 1998 to 2000 (there are five total)and they are 12 different blocks and there are three of them that have hand applique or hand stitching with the other pieced blocks. I think it is totally up to you. A lot of people will machine piece the quilt and hand quilt. I think it is what you heart tells you at the time.