how does one go about looking for a long arm quilter in your area? what kind of questions should you ask before hiring someone to do it?

There is a list of us by state in the classifieds section.

Some questions you might ask are:
What does the service include?
How do you price for each level of quilting (simple edge to edge, custom, etc)
Are there samples of quilting that you can look at?
What is the turn around time?
Is the quilting computerized or hand guided?
Does the quilter sell batting or does the customer bring his/her own?
Payment options. Cash, check or charge.

check with LQS if you have one close by.
There are a number on this board. They show pics of their work. You can PM them. I think that would work anyway. You'd have to ship to them, but I send my to Washington state for custom work and take to a local LA for pantograph work.

MOST importantly, how long have you been doing this and what sort of classes or instruction have you received?

Lots of computerized machines are being run by folks with close to zero experience...check around and know what you're getting into. Don't pay the same price to someone just getting started as someone who's done 1,000 tops.

First of all there is geneally three or four divisions of LAQ. The cheapest cost is what's called an "All Over" quilting, where the quilter just does a meandering pattern all over the quilt. Depending upon the area in which you live, this usually costs around a penny a square inche.

Then we have the panagram patterns, in this the quilter follows a pattern with a laser laid down on a sheet of plastic along the machine table. This usually cost a oenny to a penny and a half per square inche.

Then there is "Free Motion" quilting, where the quilter quilts specifiic agreed upon patterns on different places of the quilt. This can run from a penny and ahalf to 3 or 4 cents per square inche. An example of this would be where features are sewn around a quilt and McTavishing or Stipuling is used in other areas.

The method that is best for you depends upon what the quilt is intended for. If its for a child to drag around, you would probally use the all over method. If for a gift, you would probally use a more expensive quilting.

As far as what to ask, its always good to see an example of their work. Also ask for references that have used them.

Get a cost proposal from them. This can always vary a little bit, but should be fairly close.

Make sure that they know exactly what you expect them to do, and to contact you if their is anything that comes up that impeds that.

What the time frame is when they can reasonally get it back to you.

Those will help you decide on who quilts your quilt. After putting so much of yourself into a quilt, the quilting should enhance your work, not overpower it.

By the way, a good quilter wants you to ask these questions so that there won't be any misunderstanding.

Hope that that helps.

Lanny

Ask to see samples of their work. You'll want to get an idea, if their quilting style is to your liking. Each LA Quilter has their own style and type of quilting they do best. Some prefer doing pantos. Some prefer freehand. Some are better at overall designs. And some are better at single block designs. Some do very well with feathers. Others do better with leaves. Not to mention the different fill types, stippling, McTavishing, pebbles, etc.

And ask for their suggestions on how they think your quilt might be quilted. Some designs and color combinations lend themselves to custom quilting and others are better off with a simpler overall design, because the heavier custom quilting would not show up.