Marie, I would like to make a few comments about your posting. I would like to point out that you don't have to become accomplished in all aspects of quiltmaking. When I read that you are pleased that you have mastered free motion work I smiled and shared your happiness. Then when I read you are concerned about mastering hand quilting I frowned. Why? Why do you feel you have to do it all? Are you going to chase after goal after goal and lose sight of the "fun" of quiltmaking? My sister-in-law has done that and has made me regret that I started her down the fat quarter path to ruination as I jokingly call it.
I took up quilt making when I had to give up hand work. I had done hand work (knitting, spinning my own yarns, counted cross stitch, silk petitpoint) and other hand work for decades but the day came when my right hand said "No more!". Specifically, my right thumb developed severe chronic tendonitis to the point where I cannot grip pins and needles for extended periods of time.
I can slap fabrics together and then stitch with a sewing machine and thus can piece quilt tops with reasonable accuracy but I do not win prizes for precision. I can do free motion quilting for hours but I will never do hand quilting or needleturn applique.
My sister-in-law, my former student, obsesses if an intersection of seams is not perfection itself. (She has a husband who nags about her "matches" as he calls them.)
So please remember that we do this for fun ... and watch me jump down off my soap box.
