I don't unless there is an urgent reason. Generally speaking the more stuff (thread) you try to stuff into a small area (your block piece) the more trouble you are going to have controlling it and the stiffer the fabric (the quilt) will end up. ( I used to be a hand weaver, too.)
I sew everything on the machine, and I use about 10-12 sts /in. If the stitch line is going to be intersected by another line I don't back tack. And this is talking about good quality quilting cotton, too.
In 30 years I've never had any horror stories.
I do have a friend I have to re stock with quilts about every 5 years, but they have a big family with dogs and cats and the quilts get loved hard and dragged around the house and washed in the washer every week. I have the fabrics for her next 2 quilts picked out and ready to go as soon as I get my niece's wedding quilt done (which has had the pattern and colors chosen, but not bought till the start of the month) and the wedding was last weekend. HA! Not slow here.