also if i don't think i could do a specific quilt justice, then i would tell the owner that. i have couple friends lined up that i'm going to do free just to get some practice. i'm sure not out to undercut the other lady or anything like that, i've taken my quilts to her before - we are friends. one of my embroidered quilts that i took to her, i won first place and best of show at our county fair couple years ago. i've posted it before but i'm always ready to show it off again. It's a Jenny Haskins design. I did it in fairy frost and batik.

that sounds great, maybe u should put more thought into it, sounds wonderful. this one i'm getting retails for $8,000.

I know these rascals are not cheap by any means but it got to be easier than FMQing on a treadle. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Like you I was kinda thinking about doing it to help foot the bill for my quilting and to make it a little easier for me. I like the idea about push a button and take a break!

But then theres something about doing it on a treadle makes it just that more special.

Billy

I was under the impression the LAQ charged by the inch, but the price varied by the complexity of the designs you choose. All over stippling being on the cheaper end of the spectrum... am I mistaken in this?

no amma you are not mistaken on this. the charges in this part of the country start at one and a half cents per square inch then go up from there for custom quilting. then she charges for the thread and batting. the king size i just posted she charged me $218.00. i wont even be able to do a king, i'll be doing queen and down. that's all the room i have in my spare room.

hey Billy, a treadle and hand quilting rank all the way to the top, i do so admire anybody that can do that, nothing more beautiful than that. but i don't have a treadle and probably couldn't run one if i did have it. i have arthritis so bad in my feet and legs and in my hands, i can barely do the handwork on the binding, have to do a little bit then take a break. i just want and hope to earn enough to make the payments on the setup, and also to support my quilting habit and help buy groceries and medicine. i'm 73 and live on social security. i don't have any debts other than the one i just made. and i have another thought too, wonder how much to charge to rent my setup to others who want to do their own quilts on it. do shops charge by the hour or day or what? i have no idea but i'm sure somebody on here will know. all u people are so great and so smart on this site, i love it. can't wait till we get our secret quilt angel names, i like others already have my gift made, just need a name and address.

It sad that SSI is not giving the cost of living raises this year but things are bad all over and they have to save a dollar somehow just like we do.

I dont know what they charge to rent one out but I think it is by the hour. I think you have an excellent idea and I really hope your business takes off and keeps you really busy. As I get a few things caught up around here I might ponder the long arm a little more.

Billy

You might want to checkout the APQS forum at APQS.com

They have several people who belong and anyone (with or without a machine) is welcome to join. I don't have a machine yet!! am still saving.

They have a specific part of their forum that is starting/running a longarm quilting business. The posts cover everything from what to charge, how to get started, the best ways to advertise, how to increase your customer base, etc.

I recommend it for its wealth of information. Again, you don't have to own an APQS machine to join. They welcome everyone!!
Rose

loretta - thanks for the compliment. and rose, thanks for that link, i'll go there and join, i'm sure i can learn a lot. i'm gonna make me up some business cards and put some at our lqs and they will send me some business. i need to learn all i possibly can. donna

Maybe you could read through some of the other long armers sites. This is a friend from Montana & when she first started she did stipple only, but has now upgraded to more designs. Have a look at her site, she does lovely work, and I know there are a few other ladies on this forum who have businesses, so you could also check out their sites.
http://www.simplyaffordablequilting.com/index.html