Questions, in order of appearance:
1. My sewing table is my dining room table. It is not in a left hand corner.
2. Hand quilt - I've never done it, but, like you, have seen many antique completely hand pieced and quilted quilts. Clearly, who ever said that is wrong.
3) You can quilt and piece on the same sewing machine. Many Quilting Board members do it.
4) I hadn't in sewn in 20 years and hadn't sewn much even then. and certainly not well. I started quilting and haven't looked back. So go for it!
Can't wait to see your first quilt!
Cathy