MIne have taken anywhere from 3 weeks toa month, but I was given an estimated time frame, and I did need it by a deadline. Your dilemma is obviously lack of choices nearby, but when do any type of work that cost quite a bit of money, if you don't personally know the person well. I would have everything written up and agreed upon, price, design, when it would be done by. I do understand the calling after a week as I probably would want to know whats going on as well if it was not planned out. Also any delays the person should be upfront about even if there is not a set date if its past the estimated time they should be upfront because just because you may not be in a rush doesn't mean you might not need your quilt back by a certain time to finish anything up. My quilter had my husbands quilt for a month, and I got it back with just barely enough time to do binding and hand embroidery, had she taken an extra week he would not have got his quilt on his birthday. There are a lot of good LAQ on this board that may be out of state that are also willing to work with you. If you are mailing your quilts already in state it might be something to consider as you already can see a lot of their work here on the board.