That is what I was thinking. They are two different things.

I agree -- they are two different things. May I suggest that when you join a swap, specify that you do not care to receive machine embroidered items, either in the info you send to the hostess (if it is not a partnered swap) or in a PM to your swap partner. I'm sure your partner would want you to receive something you would enjoy. :)

There are so many ugly things in life. I do enjoy making something pretty, be it watering my plants and looking at them, doing quilts and quilt blocks that turn out alright and marveling at what my embroidery machine can do. How can you not? I use machine embroidery to enhance the things I make. If you don't like it, let your friends know, they may save time and money. To be fair, there are embroidery patterns and embroidery patterns.

I guess it's a personal choice.

What an interesting discussion! I entered my machine quilted quilts when it was NOT readily acceptable in quilt shows and WON!! I do think that quilters have to be careful about the weight factor and proportions when putting embroidery into a quilt. I also don't particular care for densely quilted items because it takes your eyes away from a beautifully pieced quilt. I myself have always preferred the look of hand quilting. But if others prefer to quilt that way, I am certainly not going to object to how they quilt their quilt.

It's just another possible tool in a quilter's workbox. We all have our own likes and dislikes. It's similar to the ongoing discussions on "too much" quilting, tying vs. quilting, hand work vs. machine, all quilting cottons vs. blends, etc. The quilting universe is big enough for everyone. Like everything else I've seen quilts with embroidery, both hand and machine, that I didn't think enhanced the design, and I've seen quilts where embroidery accents have elevated a hum drum top. This is where the skill in machine embroidery lies, and there is some skill needed to be successful. Choosing a design of appropriate size and density for your project, proper stabilization, correct thread: weight, color and content, precise placement all take some level of expertise.
I don't know the answer about receiving something you don't care for in an exchange. To me, an exchange is getting something I would not have made myself, but I guess you would need to carefully read the rules of a specific exchange to ensure the item you get is to your taste and follows the rules. If a machine embroidered item adheres to the rules, then you may need to petition the moderator of the event to add a rule to exclude such items. Or host an exchange yourself where you create the exchange guidelines.

As many have said, there is just as much work involved in machine embroidery- as far as the "quilting" part, not piecing, i don't look at it any different than a computerized longarm. I personally prefer all freehand for myself, and I do like heavy quilting if the quilt warrants it. I think the quilting process is just as important as the piecing- so when I learned to piece, I started to practice quilting sandwiches. Some people hate it- that's okay!

I personally don't care for the embroidery on quilts either. I hold these in their own category. Just as whole cloth quilts are in a separate category from pieced. They are beautiful to look at but I would not have the patience to do one myself It is a personal preference for me. Just as the baggy pants that the kids wear. Not my style. They can have it and I will enjoy what I like best

It is an interesting discussion! I'm glad no one got mad at me for my opinion of machine embroidery. I do appreciate it takes skill in running any machine, but that doesn't make me like the outcome any more. I hope we will hear some more opinions.

As quiltingcandy said embroidering on a quilt to quilt it is not as easy as it sounds. I do it all the time. First you have to find a design to use that is not heavy, or digitized one. The placing of the design on the quilt so it looks continuous is not easy.