I normally can't afford the fabrics at my LQS, but they have a LA and do my big quilts for a reasonable price. They are staffed by great people and can give excellent help if needed. In November this past year, I had a quilt top finished and needed quilted for Christmas. Of course time was tight, as was her schedule. DH was on the transplant list at the time and could get "the call" at any time. The lady doing the quilting was awesome and did my quilt ahead of others so I could get the binding done and have it ready for Christmas, just in case the call came and I wouldn't have time later. We didn't get the call till January, but I can't tell you what it meant to get service like that. You don't find that at Walmart or Joann's.