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Quote:

Originally Posted by feline fanatic (Post 5207009)

3. She could not give you a price up front?!?! STRIKE THREE!! Do not use this LAQ again! There are waaaaaay too many really good, honest reputable LAQ out there that you can send your quilts to that WILL give you an up front price for custom quilting (different design in every block) and stick to it even if they put more work into it than quoted (I have done this myself!). There are also LAQ that you can say I want quilting in the .02 per s/i price range, show me samples of what you can do in that price range and they can and will so you won't have a surprise bill to pay.

The comments of the ladies in your guild is subjective. In THEIR opinion it was not specialized. Actually any quilting that is not an all over panto-graph or end to end repetitive design (like an all over meander, cross hatch, baptist fan or any other number of design repeated over the entire quilt with no regard to the piecing) is considered custom quilting. The quilting was customized to that specific quilt. Even if it was just SID that outlines your piecing or different stencils designs in each block, it would be considered custom. There are varying degrees of custom. I have no idea what their idea of "specialized" is unless they are thinking of Trapunto or some other labor intensive technique.

I agree with Feline! You should have a very good idea of what your final cost will be when you first bring your quilt in to the shop. With my customers, the first part of the process is to measure the quilt. Then based on the size, we can see what the budget is, and know whether we will be doing custom or edge to edge on the quilt. For a custom treatment, I let my customers choose from thousands of designs on my computer, and plan every section (including those sashes!). She also decides whether she would like stitch in the ditch around every section, because that changes the price. No one ever leaves without knowing exactly what the price will be, what color thread(s) will be used, and when it will be finished.

Here in Texas, the current going price is 1.5cents per sq inch. but under 2cents per sq.in. I do my own quilting because you never be sure of what someone else will do. You can get too much quilting on it and or too little quilting on it. The price depends on the size of the quilt. But I do think $300.00 is a little much. I could save the money and buy my own LA machine. In fact I did and my hubby bought me a used one that is great, so I do my own quilts and save the money. But Yes I would go visit her and let her know, perhaps she did not even look it over. or don't go back.

Definitely talk to her...............I have a good friend who is a LAQ and does wonderful work. But I have also learned that the quilt owner needs to learn how to speak to the quilter....as in the design, how far apart you want the quilting to be, designs where? colors of thread....where to quilt over and where not (like in blocks you may have special applique). I had a lot to learn as a customer. Fortunately our relationship was one where we could be open! Before you use another long arm quilter...educate yourself and maybe that won't happen again.

I have no experience with LA quilting, but $300 sounds high to me. I've handquilted quilts for others for not much more than that and none of my quilting was just meandering and it was from edge to edge. This makes me sad. I feel you were taken advantage off. Sounds like someone was not in the mood for quilting or was in a very big hurry. Your work of art needs a team member that finishes it well. Quilting is not an afterthought. It's the finishing touch that brings a quilt to life!

that is exactly why I learned to do my own quilting I took several classes but was well worth it ---I decided I would rather have my mistakes than pay someone else for them and besides I make to many quilts be sending the out

My daughter is a longarmer and you should bring it back to the shop that did it .You can not fix what you do not know about. the customer should always be happy .Often the tucks can be fixed.

I was lucky to find a lovely lady locally who does long arm work. I personally like minimum quilting done on my tops and she did a great job. I do have to save a while to affor d even the 1 cent a sq inch, but it is worth it for the ones I do not tie. Her name is Heather Rogers and is in the Sedro-Wooley area of Washington. There are good and bad workers in any field. I got lucky....She was nice enough to talk about the kind of work available and has a quick turn around. I hope you find someone who will do a better job for you. $300 is really a lot.........

The time and love that goes into making a quilt is priceless. A fellow quilter should, of all people, understand that. I would most definitely talk to her about it. You don't have to be confrontational, but be firm in expressing your disappointment and make sure she understands how you feel about the quilt. $300 is a lot of money and it should have been an absolutely perfect job. If she messed up, hey we all do, then she should have told you.

I don't understand why others are telling you not to talk to her!! After paying $300 for quilting and it not being right, I would definitely take it back and show her and tell her you are not satisfied. Anytime I cough up that much money you can be darned sure it better be good....LOL

I think I would bring the quilt and go talk with her, and show her the mistakes.