Without reading all the previous posts, I will just jump in with my 2 cents worth. I do not think that handdn quilting will ever die out until everyone can afford a long arm machine. That will probably never happen and so in cases like mine, when I can not afford to send out a quilt for a LA quilter to do, I will either do it myself on my little sewing machine or hand quilt it with my lap frame a little at a time. Just my opinion. :-)