We had a judge at our guild she said they both are no.1 if your work is good.

Ha haha. Ha ha haha. Let them think what they want What an attitude!!!!

My mother used to be one of the Quilt Snobs. My friend that also quilts, mostly hand pieced now that she is in poor health and can't sit at the sewing machine, also was a Quilt Snob. A local quilt shop had a demonstration for machine quilting that changed both of their thinking. I have always thought that there is bad machine quilting and bad hand quilting. I have seen both but then I have seen some of the most intricate machine quilting that absolutely is amazing that it can be done with a machine. I also love hand quilting as that is what I grew up with and know how to do. I see nothing wrong in using a machine to piece or quilt a quilt. A quilt is made because someone had the vision and determination to make a work of art and how they put that work of art into practice should be their choice and they should not be snubbed nor made to feel inferior because of how it is done.

I hand quilt or tie. can you imagine the raised eyebrows on tying. LOL I can't afford a fancy machine, and my little kenmore won't let me lower it's footfeed, so no can try machine quilting and cannot afford an LA er. My handquilting is far from perfect, but everyone just grabs thier quilt and snuggles in it the minute they get it. So who cares!!!!!

I don't think they can be compared. It's true they both turn out quilts, but the method is so different. Now days quilting is a craft or an art form accomplished however one loves to do it. I certainly understand why hand quilting is held in such high regard because it is the old labor intensive way. Just like couture sewing is more time consuming than making a garment with a sewing machine. However both can be stunning. I'm new to quilting and I'm learning to piece and quilt by machine. But I'm also trying to learn to hand quilt. I don't want to have to choose one over the other.

Its OK for them to prefer hand quilting, but it is also OK to machine quilt. I used to hand quilt a long time ago, but then didn't really have a machine that would do nice machine quilting. I have machine quilted for probably the last 20 years. At first there were snide remarks about machine quilting, but hey, the quilt police can be replaced. ha. Myself and 3 friends did an original applique quilt and then had a professional machine quilter do the quilting. It has since won many ribbons nationally and even a Viewers Choice at the national machine quilters conference. Do NOT let them discourage you from machine quilting. Just smile sweetly and say "I prefer to finish projects". Eventually even most of the people will come around when they see ribbons on your quilt. Most shows have categories for hand and machine work. Keep on machine quilting.

My neighbor had the same attitude as the people you speak of....to me hand quilting and long arming are both works of art, they both take time talent and skill, pay no mind to what they said, you do what you like as it is created by you and is beautiful and loved by the receivers :).

Who cares what others think. It's your quilt, do what and how you want to do it. I love all quilts no matter how they are made.

I like and appreciate it all. I've done some hand quilting but I have never hand pieced a quilt. If its a beautiful quilt....it's a beautiful quilt. Regardless of the preferred method. We all have our own opinions and this is mine.

I tend to feel that a skillfully made quilt, done by hand, is more likely be deemed an heirloom quilt, than one quilted on a machine, unless the machine quilting is of exceptional quality.
With that said, all quilts are not made with the intention or purpose to be considered 'heirloom', but are lovingly sewn to be used in all manner of ways. It is a wonderous thing to see so many different artistic approaches in the many quilts being done today. I love seeing new and different techniques of using fabric to make all kinds of quilts, from bed quilts, to lap quilts, to wall hangings and clothing. There is room for everyone to express themselves thru using the techniques of their choice. In fact, I believe that it enriches this experience we call quilting.