SuzyM

For the first time ever I am going to hire a third party to quilt my top. I am a bit nervous because this is one of my best tops I have made. I have somewhat of an idea of what I would like but I would also like their imput on what the quilt "says" to them.

So what kind of questions should I ask?

Granny B

An experienced LAQ will have a project sheet for your quilt. He or she will show you patterns for your selection. Thread color is important item to talk about. Are you providing the batting and backing? Will the LAQ bind for you? The LAQ will measure the quilt while you are there. Timing will also be discussed as will probable cost. Your LQS is a good place to ask about quality quilters and will probably have some quilts in the shop which have been quilted by one of the quilters. Good luck with your quilt.

Boston1954

Although I have nothing to offer in the way of advice, I was in one of our local shops recently and heard the owner on the phone. I heard her say two years. The first thought in my head was that was waiting period for anyone who might want one done. I remember thinking, either she is very good (lots of customers) or very slow. Hope yours is good and fast.

kathy

ask to see samples of her work

ghostrider

I use a longarmer all the time, for family quilts and recently for a show quilt. These are the questions I asked when looking for a good fit as well as a good quilter.
How long have you been longarming? On the machine you use now?
Is your machine hand guided or computer guided?
Have you quilted for competition?
Are you a member of any guilds or machine quilter’s organizations?
If I select a quilting pattern that you don’t think will look very good when complete, will you explain why and make other suggestions?
Are there brands of batting that you prefer to work with?
Will I receive an estimate?
Do you require a deposit?
If extra work is required, do you call in advance of doing that work?
Do you baste all the edges?
Do you trim the backing and the batting?
Do you also make quilts?
Do you have any problem with cats? (some here will not take customers with cats because of allergies)
What type of thread do you use? Do you supply it?
Do you have a rush service?
Are there any size limitations, large or small?
Do you require backstitched seams on the edges or is perimeter stitching okay instead?

Ask for references and to see samples of her work. Often the references will also show you samples if you ask. Best of luck to you. Mine is worth her weight in gold!!!

And lets hope that the overheard "two years" was how long she had been professionally quilting, not her wait time!

Shelley

Check with you local quilt shops. If they don't recommend quilters (some don't), ask if they know how to reach a longarm guild. The guild may have a listing of their members who quilt for others.

You can also go to quilt shows. Look for quilts quilted in a style you like. Make a list, since not all machine quilters will quilt for others. Since you are in Seattle, it may work real well for you to go to Innovations in Tacoma, September 16-19. It's a great machine quilting show, and you'll be able to see the work of people brave enough to enter in a major show.

SuzyM

Thanks for all of the great advice. I went to one person today but I didn't have warm and fuzzies. I asked if she had any quilts I could look at - no. Did she have a pattern book - only on the computer. I did sneak a peak at one she just finished and for a random pattern I wasn't impressed.

I have another appointment which I think will be better. She is an award winner, no pets, and belongs to several quilting guilds.

ScubaK

I just had a quilt done by a long armer...Shelly here on the board.
JaqueMoe (?) does this as well.
Both are very experianced.
As this was my first time, Shelly walked me through it with a bucket of golden patience...
My quilt turned out beautiful...I love the job she did and am planning on some more quilts for her.
It's a bit expensive so I would only do it on special quilts as it can add up fast...but I can appreciate the time and materials involved to the charges...but like I said, I can't do every quilt this way but man does it look beautiful and worth every penny...
Just my two stitches...

Shelley

Kirsten - I LOVE you!!! :wink: Thanks! Your quilt was wonderful to work with, and that makes my job easier!

bstanbro

I have a LAQ I use for all my quilts. She is in Portland, Oregon, which isn't too far from where you are. She's won some competitions and she does beautiful work. I always let her pick the pattern. I figure she's the expert. I found her just doing a search online using "quilter portland oregon." You may be able to do the same thing in your area. If you can find someone's website, you can learn a lot about them and see some of their work. My own quilter even has a place on her website that allows you to calculate what it will cost according to the size of the quilt and anything extra you want her to do. (I suppose it is sexist to assume that the quilter will be a "she.") If you are interested, here is my quilter's website:

http://www.patsjustquilting.com/index.html