I am like you, creative process all the way-
And I agree with the lady who suggested bartering with one of your long armer friends if you don't have the $ and feel quilty about them doing it for free... Maybe cleaning (everyone hates something about cleaning- windows etc)...dog sitting/walking etc... And you would be amazed how far a 5-10$ tip and a huge smile goes...
Alot of you have said some LA's from this board are reasonable... But, what is reasonable? lol
As someone said, There is longarming then longarming.. My longarmer does a basic meander(no binding) on a queen size quilt for 40$ (oh, and she finished it the same day)..I supply the top/batting/backing.. It's so worth it to me ..I just don't like crawling on the floor to sandwhich/pin , then wrestle it through the machine to quilt, ugh.. And I actually like a meander (too much quilting makes the quilt stiffer, which I don't care for)
Now I might regret getting a machine with a little bigger throat..I can no longer say > Yes I made it..Of course, I sent it out to a longarmer to be quilted..Cant do that on my little machine...Unless you want to buy me a longarm for $$$$...pause.... naaahhh lol