I just wanted to clarify that I don't think 4 weeks is too long, especially a talented quilter. I do think that 8 weeks or more (some people mention 6 months!!!) is a long time. I am just speaking in generalitites as well. Not specifically about before Christmas because I know that is a very heavy period of activity.

Maybe I am a little impatient, but if I were to send out a quilt I couldn't wait several months for it. I haven't done it yet, but would be ecstatic to have an answer of 4-6 weeks return time. That would include quilting other than FMQ, because that I could do myself.

My longarmer has super quick turn around time. She usually has my quilts back to me in 2 weeks or less but during the holiday season it's 3 weeks or less.

Just more reason why I make all my quilts - start to finish. I don't trust anyone but myself. If I don't do a good job, it is all on me. I am not a patient person and hate waiting for anything. Therefore I do all my own quilting.

In our area its usually 4/6 weeks ....she already is about full for the Christmas season.

If I know I am giving a quilt for Christmas I book my "slot/space" in June or July. Most of the talented Long Arm Pros are booked solid by now with quilts that must be delivered before the holidays.

I have had about 6 quilts quilted by my LAQ. It takes about 2 months for me to get them back. The LAQ has a full time job. I am told that she will do faster work once she retires and has more time for quilting. When I am in a hurry, I do the quilting myself on my Bernina.

I wouldn't wait longer than a month unless its christmas season, and then you should also realize that this time of year shortly before christmas is when LA get more busy with all the christmas gift

My longarmer books 6-8 months out. She's a friend and is well worth going to, so I book as soon as I know for sure the quilt will be made. For instance, as soon as the Hoffman Challenge fabric was revealed last month, I booked my quilt. The fabric isn't available yet and the quilt design isn't done yet, but my entry will be quilted in April.

I never leave quilts with her for months and months. I take them to her when they are scheduled. Why should they sit in a bin at her house when they can sit in one at mine? That makes no sense to me at all. If she's ready for it a bit early, she calls me to see if I'm ready for her to start on it. If I cancel, she easily fills the time slot. She has over 200 customers and quilts full-time. The whole system meets the needs of both of us very well and I couldn't ask for a better longarmer.

Just curious, if anyone is willing to share....how much do most LAQ's charge for a quilt? I know there's a huge difference between someone just stippling vs a computerized or detailed design. A friend of mine took a king size log cabin quilt to a LAQ and never asked them up front what they would charge. They did a nice job of FMQ feathers throughout, but charged her $1200. I can't believe someone would take a quilt to be done and have absolutely no clue how much it might cost them.