Do you choose a longarmer by word of mouth?
 

i have talked to and inquired about many longarmers and i've looked at their work, so i chose one close to home, who is very talented. i've read here on the board about quite a few mishaps and i wonder how does this happen? how do others decide who will quilt their projects? please share your insights...Thank you!

I chose one from an Internet search. She's really good and I've even seen her work in quilt magazines. I chose another by word of mouth, a recommendation from someone on this board. Her prices are reasonable, she has a quick turn around and does very nice work.

I once used the services at the LQS thinking it was a "safe" choice.... .wrong ! Now I use members of this board , having seen the talent that participates here was very eye opening as to what is available.

there is some fabulous talent on the board, i'll agree, i have a phobia about shipping something i've worked so long on a great distance...[with my luck]...

I see quilting on quilts at Show and Tell when at guild. All the same, loops or edge to edge quilting done in off white thread. Seems every widow bought a LA machine and now does quilting for hire. I let them do my donation quilts. For my keep quilts I find a LA online that has a nice website, her business depends on the quality of her work and the reviews from her customers. There are hundreds to choose from, just pick one.

Word of mouth is important, but be sure that the person giving the recommendation is looking for the same that you are in a longarmer. Some are only interested in price, others only want pantographs, others want dense custom quilting, some want fast turnaround, others don't care, etc. Although a longarmer may be able to do many things, some specialize only in certain types of quilting. There are a few horror stories on the board, but most seem to be quite happy with the work of their longarmers, so don't stress too much. That said, I think I don't think I would try out a new longarmer with a quilt that was really important to me. Give her a "practice" quilt first.

I chose by location. Since the closest one is in my back bedroom, I use that one...

WHAT DUNSTER SAID!!!!

Word-of-mouth recommendations are important to me, but I also ask to see the work itself. My neighbor may think the quilting is beautiful, but I may want something more complex, or more specialized, or more "modern", etc.

Personally, I think it happens because people assume longarmers, because they're longarmers, have the same skill sets, and maybe it doesn't occur to people to ask for references or to see samples. I've seen it happen in my quilting group many times. Someone found an "affordable" longarmer and gave her a try, only to learn the hard way that there's a reason why she's affordable - she's brand new and hasn't got her tension issues worked out yet! Another member made a gorgeous red, white, and blue top. She took it to a longarmer and said "Quilt it as you wish with something patriotic." Well, the LAer quilted it with a tulip panto. The quilt maker was furious because tulips didn't seem patriotic to her. The LAer was a quilter, but that doesn't mean she has the same artistic sense that my acquaintance does.

Ask lots of questions, get lots of personal recommendations, and look at lots of the LAer's work. If she refuses or gets upset, move on. There are plenty of good LAers out there who will happily play show-n-tell.

My local long arm lady is wonderful - she usually has a display at any quilt shows for miles around. She can do what you want her to - fast to custom. She sits you down in front of her lap top and has you choose the elements that you want on your quilt, discusses suitable threads. The entire project is discussed and then the price is quoted. I have another long arm person (met on another board) who does great work and is very reasonable - but I had seen his work before I sent him my quilt. I think you need to interview them just like anyone else you intend to "hire".

I would choose by location first. Shipping a quilt can be very expensive. You want to see the quality of their work and know their pricing.

I went to a local quilt show and chose my LA by her work. It is a way to see his/her finished project.

If you pick someone from word of mouth, just remember The quilter I use and really like may not do the quilting you would like. Everyone is different. I really believe you need to see work that is done for several different people and different quilts. A quilter could do great work on one quilt pattern and really not do a job that will make another quilt top look they way you would like too. You may have to use several quilter to get the look you want on everyone of your quilts. An remember if you have a problem with the work done by your long arm quilter talk to THEM about it, not just sit and stew or take to others about the quilting.

I use 2 longarmers alternately. They are both close to my home and do excellent work.

I chose one because someone recommended her to me and the price was right. I took one to her and it turned out great and so I kept sending them to her before I bought my own long arm.

I've used two longarmers who were recommended by my LQS. The first is local, inexpensive and great for edge to edge quilting. The second was a two hour drive, and did a fabulous (but not inexpensive) custom job on my daughter's DWR. Each of these women have their strengths, and I would hire either again, depending upon the needs of the quilt. I love Bonnie Hunter's quilts, but custom quilting would be lost in them - those would go to the local lady. If I ever finish my Judy Neimeyer Feathered Star, I will probably be talking to the custom quilter.

BTW, I did send one quilt to Missouri Star Quilt Company, and was very pleased with the results, but it did take several weeks longer than they initially said it would to get it back. Good thing I wasn't on a deadline.

I've have spoken to a couple LAers here and they talk weeks of getting to it much less getting it back and they do it there way with there patterns they choose fit. So I know I won't be using those gals. When I went to the ones house who has a shop in the back, she had a kitty door. That wouldn't work with the quilts that were piled in open boxes with couple cats sitting where they wanted. Flat out told her didn't want the to take the chance of my quilt smelling like cat. I will be sending mine to a family friend who lives far away on the other side of the Gulf. She has no pets and is a stickler on getting her quilts in and out and has won many awards. I have seen her quilts with the stitching up close. She quilts the way her customers want her to quilt. She lets it be known what the dos and don'ts are and that works for me. She has the highest respect for anyone's quilt. I have seen it. She also travels but lets you know whether or not she will take it as it might sit til she gets back. Leaves that to your discretion but really doesn't like having someone else's work sitting in her house when she's not there.

I got lucky in that the first one I met when I needed one, was a member of our local guild, and a true "Stitch Artist" her work is easily the equal of Charisma on this board, and a mile and a half away. She even picks up and delivers!

I think it happens due to poor communication. If you want custom quilting and the only thing your LA can do is pantos, then there is a disconnect. If you want a basic overall pattern and the LA branches into custom work (and charges accordingly) there is a disconnect.

I do word of mouth, but I've also used and seen some wonderful work on here. Charisma and Harriet are two I know of off hand. But there are probably some more on here that people have used. It's always nice to see their work first. I had one that I ended up doing a stitch-in-the-ditch because she did very little quilting on it. (That was no one on here)