I for years only made the tops. I was driven by the cost of the quilting and inability to find someone to quilt for me to buy a midarm. I have considered myself a quilter ever since I first started trying to sew my first nine patch. Being a quilter is in your heart. If it brings you joy no matter how you accomplish it, you're a quilter. I wouldn't have wasted my time listening to the argument either. Good for you.