It's been a long time, but the method I used was done by cutting the backing larger than the front. Quilt all three layers except a narrow strip on the edges. Sew just the front and batting together using the unquilted edges, one row at a time - leave the backing free from this stitching. Now fold the extra on the back to the seam line and hand sew it. I think I trimmed one edge to reduce bulk. Finish all the rows, the sew them together in the same way. The only long seams hand sewn are these last ones - the first are only the length of the block, so it's not too cumbersome and you only have one edge to hand sew, not both like adding a separate strip. I did a log cabin this way.