I don't care for machine embroidery. For me the stitching is too concentrated and stiff.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you like the look or enjoy doing it, go for it. If you don't like it don't do it. I also recommend if you have never tried it, do, you may be surprised. I have a dear friend who said for years "I just don't like those artsy wall-hanging things, they just aren't quits to me" 4 years go I talked her into taking a class with me. She has since won several awards for her "Artsy quilt's" LOL

Personally, I don't much care for detailed, fancy embroidery of any type on quilts (as opposed to single lines of machine or hand embroidery stitches), but if I were in a swap, there is no way I would be so 'presumptive' as to request no embroidery on what was sent to me.

Swaps are about sharing a piece of yourself, building confidence, and friendships, new and old. They're not about collecting works that are duplicates of what you would make for yourself. If it's not worth the risk of receiving something that "makes you cringe" (your words), don't join. It's that simple. Why make someone you don't even know afraid to trade with you? http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/s...c/twocents.gif

I certainly do! Because of a serious injury, I have a rod in my arm, from the shoulder to 1/2 way down to the elbow, thus making it very painful to machine quilt or even hand qujilt. I bought my embroidery machine to do the quilting for me. I use outline stitches and have gotten many compliments on my "quilting"

What an interesting topic!! I can't help but think what a dull world it would be if we all did the same thing. Personally, I like machine embroidery as well as hand embroidery and have done both on quilts. I had a quilt in 3 AQS shows that had machine embroidery on it. I machine quilted it on my Pfaff machine. I am now working on a hand embroidered quilt that my grandmother did the embroidery on each block. I am hand quilting that one. Variety is the spice of life. There are so many ways to make a quilt, chose the one that you like best and do it.

Well, I don't like Sunbonnet Sue or Fisherman Sam, but I won't run down someone who does them. I also don't care for crazy quilts, but I sure wouldn't criticize anyone who put all that work into one. I have embroidery machines, and I have a computerized longarm. I have arthritis in my hands and can't do the hand stitching any more. There is a whole lot of work that goes into the preparation for machine embroidery and computerized quilting. And as said previously, if you don't like what you are getting, then don't join. I stopped joining swaps because I was working many hours to make a wonderful wall hanging and received something that only took a couple hours. That is not the object of the swaps. If it stops being fun then by all means quit.

I'm not a fan of machine embroidery for quilts. The colors and designs are beautiful and eye catching but why are the designs so stiff? And most have wrinkles around the design. I like a simple computer LA quilting designs on quilts. There are many quilts I make that this type of quilting is perfect for them. I don't do swaps , as many have stated, I spend a lot of time making my best work and get lousy last minute back in return.

If a quilter loves doing the machine quilting or embroidery then that is the same passion I have for my way of quilting. We are all quilters.

photos of my emb machine quilts
 

I do all my quilting now w/my emb machine, not very good at free motion so I wanted to get beyond SID only...I buy my quilting designs and then hoop each area. these are two of my most recent...the larger had 64 blocks that had to be hooped...allot of wk but worth it in the end. You can buy dense or loss designs just your preference.
the other is a wall hanging called windy city and again all quilted w/my emb machine. I think most people think these machine just do heavy design images...nope just like having a Long arm but allot more work involved

hobbycat155. Great work....I know how much goes into doing an embroidered quilt. Some people don't understand that you don't just plug in the stick and walk away. Just as my dh will not understand why you would cut up good fabric and sew it back together. Just buy a blanket he says. I was going to comment on this thread, but I've decided I have other things to do.

My husband and I have been motorcyclists for nearly 40 years; I have always disliked sidecars, considered them not "motorcycling" at all. Last year my DH bought one and from the moment I climbed in I was "hooked". I love going out in it....and now most definately consider the old beast a vital member of our motorbike "herd"! It adds another dimension to our hobby/lifestyle broadening our enjoyment and experiences together. It's the same with machine embroidery in quilting I guess.....it's different but it's part of the "herd" and once tried may very well become a delight to use. :)