Yes, it can be time consuming, but if you go into it concerned about the time it will take to finish it, you've pretty much defeated your purpose. Hand quilting is all about the joy of the process and the time it takes is so individual. It just depends on size and time put in as you observed. It's done when it's done.
I used to hand quilt, but due to arthritis can no longer....just too painful.
Annie
: )