I prefer to hand piece. I can fit the pieces more accurately. I just finished piecing a basket quilt by machine and I had the hardest time being accurate. My daughter bought me a Brother sewing machine so I thought I would piece this quilt. I couldn't get my seams aligned and did more ripping out than ever. I made lots of quilts by hand piecing and never had any trouble. My best was a Sunbonnet Sue quilt for my granddaughter.