Andrea said it all. My favorite quilt is a wholecloth one. I love to purchase what we call "cheater's cloth" preprinted fabrics that look like a pieced or appliqued work. By the time I handquilt the piece it looks just like a pieced or appliqued work. I use a leather thimble on both my right middle finger and my left thumb. I also taught myself to quilt with both hands. When using a stationary frame it is the only way to comfortably quilt from left to right. I guess I was able to master the technique because I both learned to play the piano and touch type. Both skills call for using both hands equally.
In my youth I used size 12 in-betweens. Now I am forced to use at least a 9. I like my needles short and thin. Handquilting is sort of a zen thing. I can carry on a conversation, watch TV or a movie or just listen to the radio. I certainly can't do most of those things while machine quilting. It is also portable if it is a small project. I always pack a small project when traveling.