MIssouri Star Long arm quilting services
 

Has anyone ever used the LAQ services offered through Missouri Star Quilting Company? I am not looking to get custom done just an overall quilt pattern. I have had a hard time finding a local LAQ here in small-town AZ. I saw on Missouri Star's website that their prices are very reasonable, they provide batting and their turnaround is 4-6 weeks. Locally I have found someone who charges almost double and the turnaround is 2+ months. Only reservation I have is shipping my quilts through the mail but according to Jenny Doan, they have never had a quilt get lost. Should I risk it?

I believe I saw at least one post here and the quilter was delighted with what they did.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...s-t264828.html

I send a lot to MSQC for all over quilting. I have not been disappointed at all.

My husband and I visited their quilting shop. Lots of machines set up and in use, all in one very large open room. It's actually the entire building, I think it was a library or something like that originally. It does mean if someone has issues, they've got several others they can immediately consult. We talked with one of the quilters, and she seemed very competent and knowledgeable. The main thing is that you can easily communicate what you want via email.

I'd feel very comfortable to send them a top for all over quilting, and it's a real plus that you can purchase batting and backing from them at the same time.

I've shipped lots of quilts over the years, successfully. Put the quilt in a plastic bag ( in case the carton gets rained on) with your address and the address of where it is going included inside the package. Place in carton it fits in well. Tape up well. Send priority mail with insurance and deliver confirmation.
I work hard to maintain my 2 week turn around and many of my customers are long distance. So far in 12 years we've not lost a quilt. ( knock on wood). :)

That was me. I sent them 4 others after that one. A couple of suggestions: I would ask that they do NOT trim the quilt. Two of my quilts did not have borders and they cut off my seam allowance. If you have a border I would suggest making it slightly wider than you really want it, if you plan on having them trim the quilt. I will also, in future, stick to simpler quilting designs, such as the one on the quilt in the link. It was hard for me to visualize what the design would look like on the quilt from the small pics on their site, and one of the designs I picked was just too compact for my taste. YMMV. But, in the whole, I was pleased. They ship via the US post service, the package is insured, and they require a signature on delivery.

I have seen nothing but good reviews.

This is great to know. I have tried to find one locally and for a quilt that was 70in. x 70 in. and they wanted $350.00 to start and I was supplying the batting and the backing. I didn't want anything special, but they charge $35.00 an hour with a min. of 10 hours. That is just too rich for my blood. Ended up doing it myself.

You can click on those small pics and a screen will pop up that is a little larger. What does YMMV mean?

YMMV the letters mean Your Mileage May Vary.

Thanks! Couldn't figure that out out. LOL

I don't send my quilts anywhere. I do my own quilting.

Wow! You quilters in SW and West Coast pay a pretty penny---or several, for quilting. Most of LA around here charge 1 1/2 for simple panto, 1 3/4 for more dense panto, custom (simple or body same&borders different) are 2cents/sq inch. More involved custom(thread changes, very dense quilting,etc) will be 3 cents/sq inch and up. I did a custom (feathering in blocks, sashings continuous design, separate feathering on borders--which had to be turned to get them heading right direction--on me)that measured 80x88---I supplied 80/20 bat---for $168.

I tried this quilting service for the first time this year and was very pleased with the results. Compared to Missouri Quilt they are cheaper also. http://www.happycrafters.net/quilting-services.aspx

From the wonderful longarmer I use in Northeastern North Carolina I get amazing results. I am never in a hurry so I just say let the deadline people have my place in the line and still I get most back in a few weeks. The price for a beautifully done overall pants is 1 per inch. I don't think she takes quilts she has to ship however. Sorry.

Check out Happy Crafters (happycrafters.net, I believe). I have used them several times and been very pleased. Both their prices and turn around time are good.

Thank you for the input!

I have used Happy Quilters as well and was more then pleased with their work. They supplied the backing, and batting and binding, about a twin size quilt, and only charged $75.

Do Not Ship USPS. I owned a shipping/mail store for 28 years. Ship either UPS or FED-X. You can use a ground shipping and it will not be much more than the mail BUT you will be able to track immediately and if there is a problem, they will assist you - not have you wait weeks before you can submit loss forms! (It isn't that the post office does not deliver, it is the lack of assistance if there is a problem.) The cost includes $100 insurance and additional insurance is very reasonable. You will also be given a guaranteed delivery date so you can follow the package and immediately alert someone if it doesn't arrive. It is also a good idea to lay plastic bags in the bottom of the box. This provides a barrier from any moisture that comes in contact with the box coming in contact with the contents. If you weigh the package at home, you can pay and print labels on your home computer and simply drop them off at a shipping store - no paying the store surcharges. If you do this, please tape the entire label to the package - do not simply put a bit of scotch tape on the edges - it will rip off. I always include a paper inside with the to/from addresses just in case something happens to the outside of the package. Hope this helps.

I have not sent any quilts, but I have heard great things about their long arm quilting.

I swear by Happy Crafter's, too! It's the world's best kept secret. Best prices, even when you include backing, batting, binding and shipping. Binding is mahine sewn on and whip stitched on the other side. I trust them so much, I have them choose the thread, backing and binding. I've never been disappointed.

I was in Kansas City not too long ago. MSQC was one hour north on I-35 and Happy Crafter's was one hour south in Osawatomie, KS.

I have used them several times, and have been very, very pleased. The service is good, and the quilting is beautiful!

We have several guild member that quilt for hire and their fee are 1 - 3 cents depending on the complexity of the pattern. A queen size quilt for about $100.00, that is in Central California, it is probably more is the big cities but we are in a rural area.

Since I do applique mine have to be custom and I don't believe either of these two services do custom on machine applique. Has anyone done custom (machine applique) with them?

I have had 4 done by MSQC and am very happy. The price is right and done well. They are accommodating with their thread colors. The turn around was slower right before Christmas than I had experienced in the past, 3 weeks was the quickest and 6 the longest.

I have heard nothing but good about them but there is a lady in Benson that a lot of people use if you want her info let me know Pat

Don't know about Missouri Star, but Happy Crafters does not do custom quilting.

Long arm quilting here tends to be pretty spendy. Will check back for what others say about Missouri Star. But also have to take into account the high cost of postage