I have been doing research about LA service prices. I am finding the majority of LA quilters charge by the inch, and this amount is subject to how dense the quilt is to be stitched. Such as .01 for open meander, .02 for medium, .03 for dense, .04 for custom designs, so forth and so on. Then there are extra charges such as $10 to seam the backing, $10 to square the quilt top, $30 to add borders, $8 to press the quilt top....(these are just rough amounts, I'm not quoting any professionals pricing here)

Well, it all gets a little confusing, so this is my question. Do any LA quilters -- that you know of -- charge a flat hourly rate? If not, why not? If you are a quilter that hires LA service, would you rather pay an hourly rate? If so, why? if not, why not?

Very few LA quilters charge a flat rate according to the size of the quilt. Is it unwise to charge ---- say $50 to LA quilt a crib size?

I have come across a few LA machine owners that rent time on their machines. Do any of you do that? Is it profitable?

Thanks for your help, I appreciate your comments. :)

I have read that some LA quilters do charge by the hour, but, I've never met one!
I don't really find the 'caffeteria' style charges a problem. If anything, it encourages the person bringing the top to do as much of the work up front to avoid additional charges. For instance, it's my opinion that you should square up and thoroughly press the top before dropping it off.
I'll be curious to see other's opinions.
As far as renting out the machine, it's an expensive item and i wouldn't want just anyone using it. Also, there are liability issues.

HI,
I may be able to help you on some of your questions. I am a LAQ. I think as far as charging an hourly rate....in most cases it is fair to the customer to charge by the size of the quilt...rather than hourly because every quilter works at their own pace. Some quilt slow...some quilt fast.
It is the same for renting a long arm...I just bought my second machine...I will rent it out to quilters...I would rather charge by the size of the quilt and just give the person however much time they need (within reason)..so they aren't racing to get their quilt done...I want them to feel happy with their own results and enjoy the process. Some may quilt fast...some others may not.

I think some quilters actually do charge a flat rate...for certain sizes...but it is usually for a specific type of quilting...like pantograph quilting or E2E ...that sort of thing.

I hope that helps.
C

I forgot to say...I don't think renting out time on my machine will be profitable....maybe I am wrong. I mean I would have to rent lots of time out on it and you have to take the time to help load it...thread at and roll the quilt. I am hoping to rent it out to people who will not need me as much...but in the beginning there will be a few. So I guess what I am saying is I am not experienced enough to know if that is really all that profitable...but I haven't herd that it is.

Locally we have 2 shops that I visit. One charges .01 a square inch and the other one .015 a sq. inch. Dizzy Divas is who I use, so the quilt I need done is 60" x 60" and will be $36.00. They will quilt whatever you want. I guess one might be more if you want to go really fancy, but I don't know for sure.

I was with a group of LA'er taking LA classes and this was an interesting topic.

Personally it makes more sense to me. After you get enough practice you can generally know a ball park figure.

For example:
-set up time
- guestimate of quilting time
- take down time
- an other time spent such as ironing or sewing backing

ali

Down here the shops that do rent out machines charge a fee for a one time [more if needed] class on operation of the machine. Then after that it is the hourly, 1/2 day, or day rate. There are some LA'ers who do use it for whole days too.

Maybe you could charge that learning fee also.

ali

I wish you lived closer... I would be a repeat customer for the rental you are adding!

me too!

Thanks ladies!

I just googled the distance... about two hours... hmmmm. Maybe you are close enough?? lol. :) :lol: