Harder because of the seam allowances -- lots of fabric to get through.
How could it be that the stitches would show up only on the back? You'd have to quilt from the back and not go through the top layer at all. Unless she wants you to quilt exactly along the seamlines? In which case I'd do it by machine ......
Aaaaaaaand that was probably not a helpful response. Hope you can figure out just what she wants and help her with it. A gift to others is most always an honorable endeavor.