I found this board looking for advice. I took my quilt to a long arm quilter that my LQS recommended and Idid know the gal. Her quilts were spectacular. When I got the quilt back I saw lots of problems. The advice here was to show her the problems, it was largely a tension issue with her machine showing the bobbin thread. Besides the tension issues I was happy (note I don't say in love) with the quilting.

She apologized profusely and redid it. I finally got it back and she didn't quilt it the same. Makes me even less happy then I was before. This is one of my favorite tops I have done and now with the quilting I just don't love it anymore. Its just an OK quilt.

I have seen some of the beautiful long arm work displayed on this board. So here's my question - do I rip it all out, find the money, and have it redone by someone else? Or just deal with it?

Are you sure the same person quilted it the 2nd time? I would ask them. Some shops have different people who quilt, mine does, I am one of them.

Here is what I would do.

If it's a problem with the quality this time as it was the first with the tension issue, I would take it and show her again and ask for a refund. She had two shots at it and didn't deliver. If not, then do you have what you wanted in writing? Do this panto in an edge to edge or do freehand on this part and this design in this part? If you just had her do whatever she wanted, I think you are out of luck. Even if you just verbally went over what you wanted. I can imagine that she probably has a number of quilts and can't remember what each person specifically wanted, unless it is in writing. If it is in writing, I would take that and the quilt back and ask for a refund. Once again, she had two shots and did not deliver.

Yes, I would ask for a refund. You gave her 2 chances. For what the service cost, I would get a refund.

Just in case you do not get the problem fixed by your quilter, you may want to wash and shrink it....It changes the appearance of the quilted stitches entirely and gives the quilt that soft crinkly old fashioned look....I have done that with a few of mine and they turned out really great...

Is it a quilt you planned to keep or is it for someone else. If it's for someone else, they'll probably love it. If it's for yourself, you may just be having negative feelings right now and will love it when you cool off. I don't know what the protocol is for customer satisfaction with quilting. I wish you luck with resolving your problem, though.

If you left the quilting pattern up to her, she has every right to change it. My guess would be that she made it simpler the second time to make up for eating her cost to fix the tension issues.

and this is why I absolutely will not quilt anything for anybody (except my daughter!)

I'm thinking like nor'eastener and Janeen. Maybe hand written instructions w/your machine quilting would keep things on the same understanding level of expectancy. If the workmanship is still good as her reputation holds, I'd just be more detailed in the instruction department next time. I bet your quilt is still amazing! Ask others for an honest opinion if you have a good group of quilting friends. I personally have been thrilled w/any of my quilts I've sent out..and, I do so w/no directions. Just w/"Do what you want, you are the artist"..and every time, they are so much better then what I can do myself ..Just MHO:0)Skeat

Can you post some pics?
If you clearly told the quilter what you wanted and got it in writing, then you should get a refund.
What is the experiance level of the quilter? Did you overestimate the experiance of the LongArmer?
I know that sometimes what we try and verbally explain doesn't mean the other person is totally hearing what we are saying or envisioning...
Hope this helps.
K