Why choose hand quilting over machine quilting? What are the differences besides cost?
There are two very important differences that should weigh heavily when trying to choose between hand quilting and machine quilting. The first consideration should be, “What are you trying to accomplish?” If you have many hours invested in piecing a top, and it is your desire to, as with so many quilts in one’s personal past, have it endure for generations, you should understand that machine quilting adds nothing to your project but thread. Essentially, it is the same as a “store bought” comforter-manufacturer would use for quilting machines. Your project will age, but it will never increase in value. Machine quilting is perfect for a quick baby quilt you want to give to a woman in your office, a juvenile quilt you pieced for your child’s room that you know they will out grow, or a table runner or Christmas tree skirt. Simply put, a hand quilted item will increase in value to become an heirloom of collector/museum quality. A machine quilted item will decrease in value as it ages. Hand
