There's really no reason to go over much with a panto. It's quite possible to get the design on without.

Hi everyone,
I don't post much, but read posts....alot! I feel compelled to comment on this thread. I am a longarmer. I belong to 2 regional, informal groups of longarmers, in all quite a good number. We all strive to do the very best job we can. I learned, the hard way, that communication is key. I do not assume anything. Some computerized pantos are designed in such a way that they sew off the edges of the quilt an inch or two. I only trim if asked by my customer. (I have a large studio that makes it easy to spread the quilts out for trimming.) Some backs need to be straightened before being mounted on the machine. Another thing some may not realize, too much backing fabric can cause problems when the quilt is advanced on the frame, making it difficult to keep the top square and even.
Anyway, please talk to your longarmer before the quilt is quilted. You can ask her to return your excess fabric, but please give her another chance. I am always surprised at how hard some quilters are on longarmers. Remember, we are quilters too. It is very hard to make enough money doing this to risk having an unhappy customer.
Off my soapbox now.
Quilt Happy !:)

The longarmer I have used has always returned it. Some don't trim it so you know you got it all.

I agree with Darlene. I am a longarmer also and I do not trim quilts unless I am requested to do so.When left untrimmed it is easy to see why there is not a lot of excess backing left. If it is an edge to edge pattern it will always stitch beyond the edge of the top for good coverage. More often than not the back is not perfectly square when I get it from the customer even if it is 108W backing. I measure both top and back twice before loading. If there is more backing than needed I will shift the top over to save a much batting and backing as I can without compromising the quilting. I too am a quilter and understand how expensive fabric is these days. I will return everything usable to the customer if I am asked to trim. You coud mention to your longarmer when you give her the quilt that you would like to use any excess backing for binding. That way she can put it in her notes and be mindful of that when she is ready to quilt it. Give her another try. I'm sure she really wants to make you happy.
Sherry

unless I bind the quilt too, I give it back without being trimmed (of course the batting has to be trimmed sometimes if it is too wide). I bet she was trying to do you a favor and didn't realize what you wanted. I have a contract when I quilt for someone and all the particulars are in that simple contract. I bought it from Long Arm University and that is what I use for people who I long arm for. (if it is my church or best friend, I don't bother, but for people who I don't know, I use it)

The few times that I did use LA service I got mine back - I never even thought to ask seeing that i own the fabric...and yes there was a lot left over I also rec'd the batting - which I use now for my rag quilts. Fabric and batting is expensive and not trash...yup they should return it with the quilt. No questions asked...

I would email her and say you think she forgot to give you three of the sides she trimmed, and that you need to pick them up so you can use them for your binding. Nothing wrong with that.

As a professional longarmer I send back all the extra trim back with the quilt. :)

always get everything back...

Yes, your LA should give you back all your backing plus left over material used for the back.