I agree with you about machine embroidery is not quilting. And I do not think it compares to hand embroidery. Hand embroidery and hand quilting takes time and talent. Both need the persons talents to complete the project either for a quilt or dishtowels. In the quilt guild I belonged to at their quilt show they had machine embroidery competing with hand embroidery. I mean full quilts that did not compare. I do have a machine for embroidery and I make my quilt labels and name patches with it, but I embroidery quilt blocks and dish towels by hand. Everything has a place.