I have been taking all of my quilts to the same LA'r since I started quilting. I've never asked what the charge will be when discussing how I want it done (I know that was my first big mistake). I've had a couple of queen size quilts done that cost $210 and $120 to quilt (the one for $210 was custom - they said). Well I did my first king size quilt (104 x 114) and when I took it in I talked to one owner about what I wanted and the other owner is the one who quilted it. I'm so upset over how it was quilted. I had asked that the pinwheels not be quilted all over only a stitch in the ditch so they would pop and not to do any heavy stitching so the quilt wouldn't be hard. We settled on a design for the borders and I said I would leave the rest (sashing and background of blocks to their creative eye. Well I was called on Thursday about the quilting and was told on Saturday it was ready (I was shocked that it was done!). This is what I got for $350 - the pinwheels have been outlined 1/4" on the inside and 1/4" on the outside of each blade - a circle in each setting corner stone of the sashing - what I call DNA quilting on the inner border - and the design I chose for the outer border. I was so shocked I couldn't find any words to say so I took it home. My husband was anxious to see it and asked before I could get it unfolded how I liked it; I didn't answer just unfolded it and let him see. I wanted to see if his reaction was the same as mine - it was. I called and told her I was not happy and said what I had wanted. My husband took it back to them right then (I couldn't go because I knew I would cry). This quilt meant so much to me and I feel it's ruined because it's not going to look right on the back when they do the stitch-in-the-ditch because of the way they stitched the 1/4" inside and out. After setting here typing all this out I know what I must do. I'm going to call and tell her not to do anything until I come back in and talk to her about what we can do to fix this. My question is do you think for the amount of "custom"quilting (their words), that I was charge fairly?

After typing all of this out I knew what I needed to do. I called her and she said she had been thinking about it also. She want's to echo the line further into the pinwheels (this is exactly what I did NOT want in the first place). I told her not to do anything and I would come back to the shop later in the week (I've got to have more time to compose myself) and we will go over what can be done it fix it. Because the background and backing fabric has these "embossed like" dots I'm afraid the stitching cannot be removed without it messing up the fabric. I'm going to experiment with this from some leftovers to see if that's true before I go back; if it works out OK I may have the stitching around the pinwheels removed.

That seems really high to me. Why don't you look into using one of the wonderful LAQ's that show their work on this board. I think you will find their prices much more reasonable.

It sure sounds like a lot of money to me, and especially when they didn't do what you asked. For that price, they should rip out the stitching on the pinwheels and do what you asked.

Yours is not the first post I've read like this. If I ever have a quilt LA'd, unless it's someone whose work I know from this board, I'm going to sketch what I want, and have them sign it.

good luck, and don't back down. Your quilt deserves better, and so do you.

Any chance you could still get the fabric and replace the quilt. I know it sounds crazy but I have had to do that. I FMQ on a frame with a juki - no where near what a LA has but I only do for local friends. I misunderstood what one of the ladies wanted last month and she really wasn't happy. She thought it looked nice just wasn't what she wanted. I gave her the option of paying her for it, remaking it or whatever she felt was fair. SHe came back 2 days later with the pattern and almost identical fabric. I remade the top for her. I know it's not the same as if you made it yourself but maybe they could at least offer something similar. She still paid to have the one top quilted and allowed me to keep the original one.

I am so sorry you are unhappy with your quilt. I hope you can get it fixed to your satisfaction. I would expect any LA'er to give a written estimate up front, and that the estimate would have all the notes as to what would be done for that price. However, since they didn't, and you didn't ask for one, that muddies the water considerably. From what you describe, it doesn't sound like it should have cost that much, but I don't know what the going rate is in your area. It may be that they charge so much per inch for custom quilting, and don't factor in how much actual quilting was done. It does seem like a huge jump from $210 for a queen to $350 for a king - that's a 66% jump, and a king isn't 66% larger than a queen. It will be interesting to see what they tell you when you go in to talk about it. Perhaps they just made a mistake in the pricing? Hopefully it wil all be resolved to your satisfaction, so go in with the attitude that it all can be worked out.

I feel really bad for you. Not only is the price outlandish but it's not what you wanted. :(
I hope they make it right for you.

The charge was 3 cents per inch, which is not high in some areas for custom work. However it doesn't seem to be in line with the previous prices paid. You didn't mention whether they supplied batting or other services, which can also add to the price.

I agree with what was said about the details not written down and a firm understanding. The price of $350 works out to be slightly under 3 cents per square inch, and may be less if they also charge for batting, needle and thread separately. The 2.5-3 cents for custom work is about the going rate. My quilter (before I bought a longarm) charges 3.5 cents per square inch and that is why I have never had a custom quilt. So sorry about your disappointment, I have had quilts I've had to fight not crying over.

Sorry for the dissapointment. That seems high to me.

You're right - you should have asked about the price going in, but I understand why you didn't, based on your past experience. I don't feel 3 cents per square inch is too high for custom quilting, particularly if they supply the batting and thread (you didn't say whether they do or not).

However, they did NOT do what you asked, and that is unacceptable. In that case, I would expect them to remove the stitching in those areas and re-quilt it, particularly if your instructions were in writing.

If you had given them the freedom to do whatever they wanted and you simply didn't like it, that would be a different story. In that case, they might offer to re-quilt it (although they really wouldn't be obligated to), but only if you removed all the quilting first.

I hope you can get it worked out with the quilter - I'm sure she feels bad about it too (we don't know what happened on their end to create the misunderstanding). Let us know how it all works out.

That exactly why I bought my own machine and I'm learning to do it myself. However at this stage of the game I liked her quilting better.

No longarmer wants to be labeled "bad". I'm sure she will be fair and want to fix the problem. Sometimes it just cant be fixed but a lesson learn.

Price is a regional thing. where i live this would be cheap because there aren't many LA in the area so you don't have as much choice which keeps the price down.

what i will comment on is the workmanship. if she did not do exactly what you had discussed with her and didn't call you to explain why she feels the discussed design won't work then you have every right to have your quilt skinned.

i would insist that she skin the entire quilt and you two must come up with an agreed upon plan or skin the quilt and give me my money back.

to me this is the only reason to work with local LAs, you can run over and discuss problems/challenges and be a part of the solution.

she went against everything an LA is supposed to do and she should have known better then to just alter the design plan without your input.

The charge of $.03 sq. in. is about right for custom quilting. You said they did your borders correctly and you asked for no heavy quilting for the rest-left to their interpretation. At that point she should have given you some options of designs and let you pick what you interpreted as not heavy. Her interpretation of not heavy was the DNA and circles-rather scimpy in my opinion but left to her. So it seems the thing not done correctly from the instructions given was the SID vs quarter/in for the pinwheels--serious deviation from your instructions and very different final appearance of quilt blocks. Hopefully they can correct that but it won't be easy. The lesson learned is--always be certain the LA quilter knows your wishes on all aspects and it is in writing and if possible sketches. That way if there is an intermediary, as in this case, the actual quilter has a reference. You have every right to be upset and want resolution. Based on your past experiences with the LA quilter you expected she would get it right. Keep us posted on how this works out. Occurrences such as this make both the quilter and LAer more aware of the need for clear communication. I'm sorry this happened to you and hope you will be satisfied with the outcome.

I think since you specifically asked for stitch in the ditch for your pinwheels, you should get it. I think the price is about right knowing that stitch in the ditch is MUCH harder than most every other quilting on the long arm. I think in the future, a written estimate, written quilting plan including sketches if needed, and speak with the quilter (not just the 'in-taker'). I hope you can get this resolved. I think you can take stitches out of sounds like Minkee, if you are careful. I pick gently from the top and don't pull. Just my 2cents. Let us know how this plays out.

I just paid 120.00 incl. shipping for 120 x120 quilt for my son. It was a 10 minute pattern and I wanted NO quilting in the diamonds and heavy quilting in the borders to give the quilt some hang-down weight. It was done in 2 weeks and came back exactly as I wanted it. I have had the same person do SID and I drew it out on my computer and sent it along with the quilt. It was 40% SID and 60% curlique meander on a 120x 100 quilt that was 165.00 incl shipping. I think it was much too high for what you received.

As they say 'get it in writing'. the more that is written down when the quilt is dropped off the better. it also helps if you talk to the actual person who will be doing the quilting. Something may have been lost when "Owner A" told "Owner B" what you wanted.

That's what I'm thinking too. Written instructions, sketches, and talking to the actual person who will quilt it would be best.

Good luck on getting it fixed!

Like going to the hairdresser, a picture/sketch would be a great way to show exactly what you want. Sorry you had a bad experience. Hope it works out.

Its been my experiance that LAQilters don't like stitching in the ditch, its a difficult thing to do on a long arm.

I payed $100 for a twin size with just circles (no custom quilting) and I was happy with it. I sent a small lap quilt out and asked for ripples since it was a "pond" with sea animals appliqued on it. She didn't charge much but was recommended to me by someone. I hated it. All the ripples were spaced evenly apart but one row snd that stuck out terribly. It was obvious it was a mistake. I said nothing but won't give her anymore work. Sorry this has happened to you. I think the best she could do is return your money. At least you could buy more material and redo the quilt if you're up to it. Sometimes the more we fuss with something the worse it gets.

that is exactly why I do my own quilting on my Bernina with a stitch regulator or a walking foot if the quilt is to large I do it in sections but I am always sure to get what I want and a great feel of accomplishment as I have done all of the work and it is truly mine it just takes me longer to get a quilt done but well worth it

Wow I can feel your disappointment to be charged so much for something you specifically said you did not want. I don't know why so many LA quilters have to over quilt a quilt until it's stiff. They look beautiful but their just so stiff. Does anyone else think this way or is it just me?

Where are you located? I would like to have the address of your quilter. My LA just left and I am looking for a new one. Thanks, Charlie

is your juki a LA or short A?

I feel the same way and why I do all my quilts by hand. I like the feel of a comfy cuddly quilt not something that is stiff.

That's a really impressive way to handle that situation. Great way to resolve everything and have her happy in the end :)

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I had a very large quilt (112x110) done, with her thread, her batting (Hobbs 80/20), and only paid $187.50. I had her do an all over "free style" quilting, I just asked for hearts in the quilting. This woman has been supporting herself for years by doing LAQ. She even picked it up, and delivered it. Is this what you wanted to know about pricing? I hope you find a solution.

Make each of you a copy of the sketch, and sign both. No Worries.

I hope you get this settled to your satisfaction. I am so glad that you are taking your time to compose yourself. Hope you are able to resolve this.

For what it's worth, I recently got a quote of $600 to LA my king-size (120x120) quilt, custom. The backing is properly prepared and I'd even pieced the batting together. I'm still thinking about whether to go pick it up before she gets to it. I think it's too big for me to do a decent job on it myself, renting time on a LA machine at our LQS.

It must be sooooo discouraging to have your instructions ignored! Scary that it happens.

Wow! The quilt would have to be very special for me to invest that much in quilting it.

I sent mine to Daisy and she did a wonderful job. Also she emailed me several times before she did anything to make sure I got what I wanted. It wasnt too expensive either but it was an overall pattern, no custom. That would be more.

I am a longarm quilter but I can't begin to answer your question without seeing pictures. Depending on the density of the quilting which is what generally sets the price of custom quilting, it's hard to know whether or not it was a fair price. At $.03 per sq inch the price would be $355.68 plus tx and batting and thread. I charge that rate for more complex designs/dense quilting and depending I may add another half a cent per sq inch.
It's sad that you are unhappy and I'm sure the longarm quilter is unhappy as well. Hopefully you'll be able to come to an agreement so you'll all be happy. In the future you should write down exactly how you want it to be done in order to avoid a repeat of this situation. Also you should know in advance what the price of the quilting will be. Good luck

You know this is always such a scary thing to comment on....I am a LAQ. It is always stressful to me when someone is un-happy with my work.
I have had a few. I think it is bound to happen along the way...Not that we ever want it to. There are so many things technical issues, mis-communication, and personal preference. There are so many things that can/could go wrong.
When the partnership between quilters has so much invested it it really difficult. I am sorry. I am sure your LAQ is just as sorry....none of us like this situation.
But I think you are right to wait until you compose yourself and you can communicate and articulate what you want.
I would just say that you have a history with this business and you have been pleased with them before...so trust your instincts..but also let them fix it for you if you are willing. I am sure they want to work it out with you..just as much as you want it to work out with them.

In all reality as big as your quilt is...and the ruler work they put into I think the price is right...SID is not easy on a long arm..so most of us charge extra for that....it sounds like they made it harder on themselves by doing extra ruler work...outlining the inside and outside of the pin wheels...but probably the same price......I hope this situation is resolved..please keep us updated. HUgs

So how was this resolved?
I have learned some good suggestions/precautions to take in the future.
Sharon

Well as of today Sat. Aug 27th it has been two weeks since I took the quilt back and 11 days since I went back to the shop and we discussed in detail what I wanted. She had some designs in mind that she thought would look good and said she would email them to me. I offered to take the stitching out around the pinwheels and she declined the offer (she said she would do it in the evenings in front of the TV). So far I've not heard anything from her via phone or email. I wil be going back to the shop on Sept. 10th for our Saturday Sampler class. I will not be surprised if I don't hear from her before then. I know some of you won't agree but I'm not going to call.

Bless your heart. Sounds like you did get the shaft. I would have to wait myself to go back in and talk to them about the quilting as I would not be able to talk without getting upset. I sure hope they make things right for you.

Joyce,
Thank you for the up-date. I'm sorry you have not had a better resolution. A bad experience with a LA quilter is the reason I now own an HQ 16. I still regret paying for the bad quilting she did on my quilt which was a gift. I hope it turns out well in the end. Sharon

I would expect it t take quite awhile to remove the stitches and redo the quilt. Thanks for the update. I hope it works out well for you.