That is not acceptable at all. If your customer wants cotton batting, you use it. I have a LA there really is not alot that you have to change to change the loft of the batting or thread for your tension. it's maybe a 5min process. Did she atleast return your batting to you and your thread? I'd be finding a new person for sure. It almost sounds like she is rushing your quilt to go onto the next. Most quilters go by word of mouth when picking a LA quilter and this would not make her get any additional business.

I did 2 for a friend at christmas and she sent the thread that she wanted me to use so I used it but there wasn't enough so I did as close as I could to the spool that she provided. I wouldn't think of using something that wasn't close to what she wanted or calling to confirm the change before I started.

You've already gone back twice more than I would have! LOL

Once is enough! The LA'ers I know ask you to sign an agreement that list type of batting, thread, etc. everything is in black and white so both parties know what is going to happen . it also states if the LA has a problem and wants to change anything she must contact customer before making those changes.

I'm flabbergasted. If I tell my contractor that I want white grout in my tile and he uses blue, guess what. He's gone. If there was a good reason why he used blue, HE SHOULD HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH ME FIRST, back when I first told him I wanted white! I'm amazed that you told her specifically what you wanted and she totally disregarded your instructions, not once, not twice, but THREE times.

When I take quilts to LA, the quilter and I go over different options and fill out a form. I sign it, and she does too. If she doesn't do what you both agree to, she has to notify me first. No notification, no pay. I might have given her a second chance, but never a third. If you don't want to mail your quilt (and I wouldn't blame you), ask at local guild who they might use....satisfied customers are the best references. I don't know where you live, but if you give that info, somebody on here may be direct you to an excellent quilter.

After the first one, I would have explained that, while the quilting was good, it was NOT what I asked for and told her I would never use her for quilting one of my quilts again.

"The classes" told her that it was ok to DIRECTLY disobey her customers? She went to the wrong classes, or conveniently heard what she wanted to hear to justify what she does.

You change thread ONCE when you're long arming a quilt with the same color throughout. Sooner or later you have to change your thread anyway, so what's the big deal? If you're in business and getting paid for what you do, you really need to do what the customer wants not what's easier for you.

At the very least she should have told you what she planned up front and let you decide whether to leave the quilts with her or not. How hard is that?

That is what my LA does.

It is a business. You are a customer. If she (LA) keeps doing as she pleases and not listening to her customers she will start loosing them . . . then she will no longer have a business.

No more she works for you........regardless of how good the quilting might be

I do know she extended her finances to buy the big LA set up and is having to pay for it with quilting business. The actual quilting is very good, of course the computer does it, but better then I could do. She just won't listen. I told her my guild members would know why I won't use her again. I asked for 50% refund and she gave it to me and she was very angry that I was so 'picky' and giving her a bad rap when I didn't know about LAing. LOL. I think her machine may be reprocessed and I might find a deal (not really).

Being a longarmer myself, I am shocked! I write up a sales ticket for each customer, there are 3 carbon copies, on it I write everything they request and that is what I do. What is the matter with this person. I would have a chat with her and tell her she either honors the customer's requests or you will find someone who will. I cannot BELIEVE this!