I have had only one quilt done by a LA because the price is so high. Even though the one I took only cost $150 that is a lot to me, especially as I make a lot of quilts. Also, the one I took came back even worse than yours and I think it was pieced just fine. I started FMQing my quilts. I figured if it was going to look like an amature quilted it I may as well do it myself. I certainly don't do work like Charisma (on this Board) for instance, but I do fine for my quilts. I have several designs I can do pretty well and work okay on my quilts.