reasonable time frame
I would be firm on the time frame. I like the suggestion to let her know when you need the quilt and if she is unable to handle that time, you take it elsewhere. Try to give her 2 months though. If you are quilting as a gift, keep that time frame in mind. It sounds like she is in demand and tries to meet the timeframe. Perhaps she is not keeping track of timeframes or that she tells everyone the same thing and phone calls work to move her along. I am sure she doesn't want to loose you as a customer.
I took a queen size to a LAQ in my area. She said 6 months. I did not hear from her til the 6 mo and was ready to just pick it up, asking for my deposit be returned It was done at 6 mo. and she was expensive. I was not impressed with the quilting in comparison with what I have seen on this board. She had won a few blue ribbons and that was why I went to her. So I was willing to pay more. But way to much for quilting and the quilting was simple with 3 patterns on it, 2 in the quilt and one for the border.
I have had another LAQ do a few for me but she only does an all over pattern. I saw someones applique with meandering through it and it ruined the look of the quilt instead of enhancing it. She kept my quilts for 2 to 3 months. She does a good job and I will use her for the all over pattern, if that is what I want on the quilt. I have heard of other LAQ who keep the quilts for months. I wonder if they have another job or what is happening.
One gal took her quilt to someone who did not have good tension on her bobbin and the quilt was returned to her with a mangled mess of threads. I am not sure if she ever fixed it but she didn't want to take it back to the LAQ-boy, I sure would.