How do you afford to send your quilts to a long arm quilter?

I'd like to know that too. I sent one out. It is gorgeous. but it cost 500 dollars. I'm not saying she didn't earn her money, but I can't justify doing that except for something very special. And even then it "hurts". I can buy a lot of fabric for that much money.

There are very inexpensive LA sources out there. The starting rate for an all over meander at many LAQ is .01 per s/i. There are even some still out there that do panto for .01 if it isn't too intricate. For an average queen size quilt that comes to $100. There are many starting out who are willing to do it for less for the experience (like getting your hair done at the cosmetology school). There is a place in Kansas(called Happy Crafter) that I can't even begin to compete with that does end to end designs including poly batting AND Backing for insanely low prices (about $100 for a queen size).

Not all people incomes are created equal as well. $100 to some is a lot of money and to others is pocket change.

The lady who does my quilting charges $45 for a king size pantograph and includes poly batting. I cannot get her to take more. And I have tried more than once. We also attend church together but she charges everyone the same amount.

The shop where I do the long arm quilting, she charges $100 for King/Queen, $75 for Full/Twin, Throws and baby quilts depends on the size... and it is all pantographs...we average 3-5 quilts a week....very reasonable... and it is all edge to edge...