I hear you, I like the old ways! and I was doing a lot by hand But my neck is so bad, and my hands have CTS.. and need surgery. so I love my machines now. I have 2 Berninas, and one Brother ULT, and 1 Even have a Commercial 15 needle 500lb machine here in my sewing room, I do still have my old (cam Singer) in the walking closet. I love computers, and so this machine stuff is right up my alley. I create the designs and right the software that tells the machine to stitch out the cute designs. So I love to Create embroidery designs.
I have a lot of the vintage Iron on Artwork from the 30's and the 40's, the ladies sat around and did by hand. I digitize and create machine designs with that artwork now! so they can stitch out the designs on the machines. So I still love looking at all the older artwork from back in the days.. as long as you are having fun, and are relaxed and enjoying what you are doing, I say go for it!
That is what it is all about...