There is a list of longarm quilters on this board. Check it to see if anyone is near you.

don't think it is necessary to finish all of them. If you have learnt something in the process ( and had a lot of fun and kept your mind active) then that is all that matters. I don't think you should allow yourself or others to make you feel guilty about having fun your way...nobody apologises for playing too much golf or buying too many clothes or partying or buying expensive football or basketball tickets. I say just go for it. Why should 'works in progress' be any more a bad habit than the other things I suggested?(Hope you enjoy the next project - I have 3 in progress, 4 half quilted and twenty finished ones in the cupboard right now...).

what a beautiful dog! He/she must keep you company and distracted from quilting!!! I got a quilter a year ago and we are still busy trying to be "friends" -- my mom has lots of quilt tops but I feel that I am not ready to attempt them!!! She asks constantly when am I going to be ready, but I tell her that my dogs (lab and cattle dog) are so dominant to my time that she will have to wait!!! I am so paranoid that I will not meet her expectations that I end up playing with the dogs or (ugh) doing housework!!! I am still practicing but I don't think I am ready to take on her tops!!!

This is describing my method(s) exactly. I have only one minor??? recurring problem: my husband asks me every now & again (once was too often) when I am going to get his quilt finished. This question, which I perceive to be a criticism, causes a small explosion in my head, unpleasant, but has not killed me ... yet. I get over it soon enough, though and get back into my happy routine.

I too had that problem but no more, oh yeah, I have four quilt tops to be quilted at this time, but I have an excuse, I have been getting all my stuff ready for the church craft sale and for my shoulder surgery this Tues. So I won't be quilting for some time now.
My solution was to buy a Grace quilting frame and machine -I got it in a package deal and then, I can quilt them myself. I am not a great quilter, just waves, loops, straight line and such, but it beats paying to have them quilted. Unless of course you want, beautiful quilting.
Once you have quilted at least ten quilts you will have paid for your frame with the money you saved on quilting.

I also have declared defeat and now send anything larger than a lap size out to be quilted. It takes all of the stress off and my pile of quilt tops is now in a manageable state!

I'm glad to hear someone else has the habit of not finishing all at once. By the way, did you take the photo of the kitten in your Avatar and is it yours? I think it is the cutest thing ever. Have to look at it a little longer every time. Alpha

Having several projects at different stages just makes sense to me. I don't have a designated work place- the sewing machine is in the dining room, but the ironing board and cutting station move around. If I want to watch TV or visit with my husband I cut and iron in the living room. If he's not home or it's a quiet evening I sew. If I'm at my friends sewing together I take whatever is most portable at the time. So for where ever I want to be I have a project that's just right. I'm a full-time teacher and a part time piano teacher so grabbing those precious moments to indulge my new habit is sometimes difficult. This multi-tasking style works for me!

OMG!!!! Now I know what I have....future hierlooms and archeological (?spelling) finds....Boy, do I agree with that....we must be sisters!!!!

If you would like someone to finish them for you, I hand quilt for people, and I've had people from other states mail me their quilt tops.