I love hand piecing and long to do a grandmother's garden quilt that way some day. The "boring" part of hand piecing for me is marking all the pieces to ensure an accurate 1/4" seam. I have used the thread basting method to ensure matched seams even when machine piecing as it allows you to "ease" the longer side without puckers, especially on the straight of grain side. I was also taught to "stitch through" not stitch down the seam allowance. When I do use pins, they are the little tiny ones.
Would love to see a pic of what you've done so far. It sounds ambitious!