How did you decide to go into business of quilting for others? For myself, I retired and six months later my retirement fell when stocks hit bottom. I had just purchased a quilting machine, needed an income, so went to a quilting group to show and tell some of my quilting and have never looked back.

I'm just starting to quilt for others, need to suppliment my failing income as hours drop.

That's me also, I needed to supplement my income. I wonder if there are any longarm quilters who's only income is from quilting?

I have a long arm but haven't yet started to quilt for others. When did you feel like you were ready to quilt for others? I'm just so nervous that they won't be happy with my work...not sure if I will ever feel "good enough."

My LAQer in Iowa worked up samples of what she was comfortable with stitching. She put these samples in a huge binder. Customers could flip thru and see what she had to offer as will as her samples lining the walls of her studio. If a customer wanted something she couldn't, or wouldn't, do she had a list of other quilters to refer that customer to.

If starting out, I would suggest being up-front with your customers and not charging expert prices at first. I got a bit stung with a LA quilter that someone said was really good, she charged me way too much for a SIMPLE all-over meandering vine (but had nothing to compare it to, just took their word). I gave her 3 queen tops to quilt at once (I was still living overseas and was only here for 5 weeks), and all three were completely different tops, she quilted them all very similarly. I am so glad I found Charismah on this board! I know there are others here who also LA for a business, too and it helps to post pics of your work. I don't want to imply her work wasn't good, just she charged too much for simple all-over meander design. It was like she didn't take into consideration the design of the tops themselves. I wouldn't have felt bad if I didn't pay so much for what I got.

I paid $40.00 to have my twin size quilt done. I thought that was very fair - she did meandering on one and then a really nice curling one...I let her do her own thing...she used a thread that had multi colors. Wonderful job...I now do my own with my midarm since I do want to do it myself. I gave those two I had done away for gifts and they loved the quilting and I hated to have to say I did not do it.

What is the going rate for LAQ? I have sent out a few quilts, and I thought they were very reasonable, but, as someone here said, I don't really have anything to compare it to. I would just be curious how prices are figured.

Prices vary by area. I started out charging 1 cent/sq. in. on pantos. 2 yrs. ago I upped it to 1 1/2 c/p/s/i for pantos. One of my customers out in CA thought that was too expensive even though she has to wait 6 mos. having it done there in CA. Most everyone here in my town start with that same price but 50 mi. away the starting price is 2 c/p/s/i for pantos.

Here is one of the quilts my local quilt shop did for me, turn around time a week and half, I loved the fact that she told me how much up front. 40.00 instead of by the inch. Personally I would not pay more than 40.00 - it may just be me...but I already paid a lot for the materials, batting, fabric ect...If it cost me more that I would not have done it. Sadly making quilts is not cheap. When using unusual fabrics and quilt quality its expensive and people that you give them to have no glue...its cheaper to buy one at the pottery barn. So far I do enjoy my hobby...but it is on the expensive side...