GET IT DONE! I have a friend who started quilts for sick friends. She wanted to do them by hand, because she felt it would be more "authentic" , and you probably can guess how this ends. Unfortunately, they both passed away before the quilts were done. Was that better than doing the quilt by machine and having them love it? I'm thinking not. Or is there a way you can hand quilt ( if you are determined to do that) WITH your gran perhaps in the room? Then she couldn't at least see and appreciate your work.