It depends on the quilting you want. Pantographs and free motion, simple side to side designs don't take as long as custom work. Some quilters have expensive computer guided machines, but they must be programed too, this takes time and expeience. I can do a simple freehand design in a couple of hours on a double bed size quilt. This is nothing like the wonderful creative custom work we see from many professional quilters. Custom designs can take days or weeks to complete. Most quilters have a fee schedule for different desities and techniques. As in most things, you get what you pay for. Professional quilters have a huge investment in thier machines, designs, and time learning thier craft.