Yes, I find that having quilts done by professionals is expensive. I'm not saying it's not worth it, I'm just saying I can't afford to have all of my quilts quilted professionally. I decided that when a quilt I was not too enamored with was finished and ready to go to the quilter. It was a bed size quilt and would cost about $160.00. Once I calculated everything, I decided then that I didn't like that quilt that much, so it's still in the closet.
Since then, I mostly make throw or lap size quilts that I can do on my own machine. If it's special, I'll still use the long armer, but mostly, I just use my walking foot.
bkay