wow- what a rude statement- i can not imagine why someone would think of stitch in the ditch as a 'cop-out' it takes practice, patience, and time- some people consider it one of the most difficult machine quilting techniques- it's alot easier to just meander along- doing loop-d-loops & what ever than it is to follow a straight line! the person who said that too you must think she holds the (quilt police sheriff badge?)
just tell yourself- you have the right to use any techniques you want and like- no one should tell you it's a cop out- that ranks right up there with the folks who believe using a beautiful panal in a quilt is some sort of cheating...just ignore negativity & carry on, with a smile- some of the most beautiful quilts i've ever seen were stitched in the ditch---right along with some of the most spectacular quilts with panals in them.