I agree, see samples of his/her work. Talk to other customers. Find out if the LAQ does pantos or custom. Ask about prices. My LAQ only does pantos, and that is fine with me. The price depends on how dense the quilting is, the type of thread used and whatever extras I want (pieced back, binding attached, binding sewn down). Also turn around time. My LAQ is so busy that it might be several months before I get a quilt back, unless I give her a specific timeframe that I need it. That is alright by me, as she only lives a block away.