I am a hand quilter, have tried machine quilting and didn't like it, ripped it out. The only way I machine quilt is strip piecing which I do for baby quilts and I did a little machine quilting when I was making doll quilts for charity. I don't find it relaxing. When I hand quilt I use a hoop and a thimble. My favorite hoop is a 10" quilting hoop, I know it is small and needs to be moved often but I have a problem with the larger hoops. Everyone has a different technique that works for them.