Hey Henry- I've worked with a gazillion surgeons throughout the years and they are outstanding 'sewers'..... in fact, the top specialist I worked with badgered me to bring in sewing projects for him to do so that he could rehab an injury that he had.... Some did exclusively hand sewing, others combined the machine and hand sewing together. So, in other words, you are in good and noble company :):) Plus, better than that, you are in our companyhahahhahahahahaaaa....