I hear you and that is why I can't bring myself to send quilts out. (Me, myself, and I had long talks about the very subject.) My personal goal is to improve my own skills. Unfortunately, I have that attitude with home improvement too. If I can do it, why hire someone else? (I hope you can all see me beating my head against the wall.)

We have an excellent machine quilter in our area who can do a very good job, but she is not cheap. 2.5 cents per sq inch for stippled, 4.5 cents for specialty jobs. Her specialty jobs are just stunning, I've long admired her work. I don't know if she includes batting and backing, as I normally hand quilt.

For stippling that is not bad,I paid about 125.00 for an all over pattern,stippling is more labor intensive.And that 125.00 did not include batting,but did include the threads and bobbins used.And did not include the having the binding done.But different areas of the country much less different long-armers charge differently.

The quilt shop I went to gave me some handouts with names and prices of quilters in the area and they are quite expensive and some have a minimum charge as well. If they do a great job it is worth it.

I agree that pricing varies by areas. I've heard that the East and West coast prices are dearer than here in the Midwest. There are a few quilters in my area from long arm quilting to smaller home systems that charge $60 - 65 to stipple a quilt, batting not included. I had my very first quilt quilted by a lady that lives the next town over. I supplied the batting and purchased binding (didn't have a clue I was to make it :oops: ) She charged me $40 to quilt and bind....now that's a bargain!!

My quilt lady here in Phx is wonderful.
She charges 45 dollars and that includes binding.
She does fancy patterns that you pick out.
You supply the backing,binding fabric and batting.

In my area the going rate for an all over design (by computer LA) for a twin size quilt is $65 , that does not include batting or backing.

I feel your pain....I was paying someone to quilt my quilts....cost for a baby blanket $40.00....and I've paid as much as $120.00 for custom Queen....

Dad has a machine now and I can quilt my own...but let me say he has a Gammil......not the most expensive one but it did cost $15,000.00.....and that was used....not counting the light system....table was included.....So now maybe you can understand more why it is so expensive.......and if they do a great job which I hope they do you will be happy I hope.....it is a gift to be able to use a Longarm Machine....:-)

Just letting you know....:-)....don't forget thread and bobbins and the batting and backing for those who don't come with it....:-)

gcathie...I guess I wouldn't have been shocked at the price if this person has a gammill...but, doesn't! I think the $65 some say would be more practical and not the sticker shock for quilting no designs, etc...only stippling. How busy would these people be if they were more practical? It's like driving the VW into a Mercedes shop to have work done. If this was a show quilt, and there was 'detail' and 'discussion of detail' and a person went to a professional shop...I'd understand. Otherwise, sorry...I just 'don't' get it!! No offense to anyone...but, I wonder if we are starting to outprice ourselves? Skeat........who would also understand if this quilt would be on 'show'....not prob dragged around in the college car. Hit me w/a bobbin!LOL

You might be surprised, but Gammill is just a name of a brand. There are other machines out there that cost as much or more the a Gammill. Just because someone doesn't own a Gammill doesn't mean that they aren't just as invested in their business as you imply. If they are competent with their machine they are every bit as good as the next person. It's more important to be good with the machine you own than the name on it. It still takes the same amount of time to do the same thing with any brand of machine, and as such deserves the same fees.