i use to love hand sewing - counted cross stitch - embroidery but my eyes went a little bad so i got a sewing machine that threads itself. i can't see well enough to thread a really small needle like the betweens or even on my machine. every cloud has a silver lining - i only fell in love with quilting when i got my machine - so i sew everything by machine. you are right though - hand sewing is very relaxing although i never quilted by hand. i am sure it is a learned skill and would do it if i could.