No one back then would make a quilt by hand if a sewing machine was available. Rotary cutter and mat Im sure they would switch to also.
They HAD to make them by hand.
I use a machine and will until something better comes along.
Life is to short and Im to old to spend the time it takes to hand sew. To many patterns out there to try, variety is what I enjoy the most, and learning a new block pattern is fun.