Hand quilted doesn't mean hand pieced. You can use a machine to piece it but it has to be hand quilted. A whole cloth is fine. Binding is the biggest part of quilt judging from what I've seen. It's the first thing looked at. I wouldn't let that stop me from entering if I felt my binding wasn't perfect. A hanging sleeve is a must for most big quilt shows. It's usually not judged but don't make it sloppy.