Hi sweet quilt sister! Don't you EVER think that you are "less than" ANYONE!!!!
You do an awesome job quilting in your comfort zone. Pantos are relatively easy & result in perfect patterns. How DARE anyone make you feel bad about excellent work.
You are most likely way more talented than you you know, however. Following a panto is way more difficult than quilting free hand. It's just less scary. You go out & celebrate what makes YOU happy. No one "says" you must do free hand. No one says pantos are "less".
You are awesome. Don't ever doubt that. Quilt what makes YOU happy 😍 - best wishes