I definitely like the piecing better. I can and do machine quilt , but since this long arm business stuff has taken off, I have to say its been easier than I thought to part with the quilting process. I do quilt walllhangings and baby quilts, largely because I can manage them on my machine and it's not worth it to me to send them out, but I really only quilt to get them done and move on to the next top!