I couldn't imagine spending a week to do the binding by hand when in just a short time-(30-60min.) i could have it on by machine. If i had to do it by hand, i would probably have only a few quilts done so far instead of the dozens I have completed. But it's a good thing we are not all the same- we would be boring! I also think it takes practice just like everything else. Also if I were to put a quilt in a show or something, I would do binding by hand because that is what is expected.