I just recently completed the top of a king-sized Hawaiian quilt; it was one of Nancy Chong's patterns. I worked like crazy on it and it took me only about six months to complete the applique. Now, I finally have backing fabric and need to quilt it. It sounds to me like $1000 is a good price, unless you decide you hate the process. If you don't find it soothing and fun, it will be tedious. Also, because of the size, it is not a portable project. I would do it, sitting with DH, in front of the TV watching sports--I think I went through football, basketball, and baseball seasons. I used a batik for the applique and a white-on-white for the background. To me, it is gorgeous. However, because I have dogs who are allowed on the bed, I don't have a clue where I'll use it!?! when I started the work, I said that I would never do another. By the time I finished, I was looking at patterns for the next one.