I do both but I prefer hand lately. I get it finished quicker as I do it at night while listening to TV...can't watch both at once although I try lol but I'm not doing this quilt - gorgeous as it is. I'm doing the Magic Vine by Eleanor Burns and have just finished prepping all the pieces. It's much bigger pieces than I thought it would be so it'll go together quickly now. This one might be my next applique project though so thanks for bringing it up!