Our LQS has a file of LA quilters that they know and recommend. The one I use is a member of the guild I belong to. She's a widow and just starting her business. I like her, so I tried her work. She let me come by and see some of her quilts she'd done. She even offered to let me come and watch mine being done, but I didn't do that. She's done 2 for me now, and I'm quite pleased.