germanquilter

I am a piecer/topper when it comes to making quilts. I love to pick colors, patterns, design and make quilt tops. When it comes to sandwiching and quilting a quilt, I gladly send it on to my LAQ who happens to also be a friend of mine. Here is where my dilemma comes in. My LAQ just had back surgery two weeks ago and will not be able to quilt until at least the end of January. I have several quilts ready to go and two are baby gifts needed in January. I am contemplating of sending the two I need to get done to another LAQ, a lady I also know. However, I know from past experience that my original LAQ gets really personally offended when you use someone else. She actually "de-friended" someone who did that! Do I go ahead and sent the baby quilts off and not tell her (I will wait for her to get better on the other projects)? She has offered for me to use her LA while she is down to quilt my own quilts but I have tried it and just don't care for the whole process I am not very hand-eye coordinated and barely can stipple my small wall hangings/ table toppers. I hate to put a damper on our friendship but I also need those baby quilts done.

hperttula123

I would tell her and let her know that you need them before she will be ready to quilt. That way, she doesn't find out later that you hid it. Longarm quilting isn't for everyone and you shouldn't be forced to do it if you don't like it.

dunster

I would already be very uncomfortable having a "friend" who ended another friendship based on not receiving that friend's business.

carolaug

if its a baby quilt can you just sew straight lines on your sewing machine...that is the curent modern style and its very easy....you keep the dogfeed up...use a walking foot and your on your way...

ckcowl

all relationships are best if based on honesty- i would let her know (better she didn't find out later from someone else) that you need the quilts right away and have no interest in doing them yourself-so those 2 you are sending elsewhere.
i do not understand people who base their friendships on (business)
i am a long-armer and have many times recommended someone else when someone has brought me or called me about a quilt that i do not have time to do- or if i have a couple ahead of them i let them know- ...'i would not be able to get to your quilt until...but if you need it done before then - here, call.... or .... i give out other quilter's business cards- have always considered it a business where it is most benificial when everyone works together- i've received calls from people who have said to me---' i usually use....but she is going on vacation & told me to call you to see if you have time....' and other calls too---the (other quilter) knows i also give out her name- and has not qualms about sending me customers when she can not get one done.

AlienQuilter

I would ask her what you should do. Maybe she would have a good suggestion.

But, I also do not understand this type of friendship.

If you want to keep the friendship, maybe tie the quilts yourself? Or, I did this a while back, I used a decorative stitch and stitched in the center of each block to "tack" it down. Worked pretty good.

Since they are baby quilts, why not put a pretty thread in and using the walking foot, do a ziq zag stitch, either on the seams or just spaced 3 inches apart on the quilt.

Jan in VA

Do not allow critical, demanding, manipulative people in your life. Their acceptance of you is only conditional, never true. People who do not wish to be happy can not be made happy by your actions.

Jan in VA

sewmary

I am in this camp also. Based just on what you have told us, this does not seem to be a true friendship. Why are you struggling when you need the work done. Don't ask permission and don't try to quilt yourself if you are not comfortable doing it. And don't be afraid to tell her what you have done.

sewingsuz

Jan and sewmary are absolutely correct. Don't do this. i have let people do these thing to me and it just makes me sad when people treat me badly.

IrishNY

If it were me, I would send them out to the person you know can finish them and let the conseqences play out. If the first woman believes that the world should stop because she had surgery, I wouldn't place a lot of value on her friendship.

However, if it's important for you to stay in her good graces for some reason, I would call her and offer her the chance to quilt your tops with the deadline that must be met. If she turns them down because she can't physically do it, then you can take them to the other person with a clear conscience.