Originally Posted by vicki75
I have a long arm but haven't yet started to quilt for others. When did you feel like you were ready to quilt for others? I'm just so nervous that they won't be happy with my work...not sure if I will ever feel "good enough."
When I started about 11 years ago, I did not know anyone in this area to compare quilting or prices. I purchased my machine new and when I was trying it out the store owner said I was a "natural". Even asked me if I would be interested in being a dealer. Well, dumb me, I let my ego win, and jumped right in quilting only 3 practice quilts before taking paying customers. (Thank goodness I did not take him up on becoming a dealer.) Looking back now I can see a great improvement in my quilting and regret not practicing a lot more before taking in customers. Then a couple of months later I attended a quilt guild where I met another longarm quilter. She was GOOD.
I only turn down a quilt because of time limitations. Even though I still get butterflies when some tops come in, thinking I'm not good enough, once I get started quilting them I am o.k.
When you are comfortable with quilting your own tops, you should be ready to take in a customer's. Quilt what you know you can quilt nicely. Talk in length with your customer to find what they expect as to designs and threads. If they request something you don't think you can do well, tell them; most are willing to have you decide what you can do. However; if they really want something you are not comfortable quilting be up front with them and let them know. I feel it is always better to do simple quilting very well than to do difficult or intense quilting poorly.