I hand quilt when I watch tv. I made 2 queen size quilts last winter, both were hand quilted, took 6 weeks for each of them. It takes me about 3 weeks for a baby quilt. Those are the only sizes I've done.
It really makes my hands hurt, so I use a tool to pull the needle through the fabric. I bought spring-loaded curved blade needle nosed pliers to pull the needle with. It has helped the hand tension/pain immensely. I got these at Tractor Supply. I can load the needle with 5-6 stitches this way.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/h...pliers-3807906