Boy, don't know what wouldn't count as a traditional technique in hand quilting. Big stitch? Saishiko? Only wreaths & feathers??
The sleeve must be made using the specifications provided by the show or the quilt will be rejected.
Also, I will tell you that for some reason or another, binding is one of the primary things the judges look at. Is it full? is it even? Is it finished by hand? Did you use a ladder stitch? Are the corner folds all stitched. Sheesh.