I used to think that, but if you follow that line of thinking clear through, we would be walking and not riding in ANYTHING. Let alone still sending smoke signals instead of using cell phones. I agree with the lady who said that the early women appreciated their sewing machines. I DO think hand quilting is lovely and so is machine quilting. I sure would like to do it as well as the artists I have seen on this site. Maybe they were having a bad day???