Speaking from the LAQ side, It is very easy to bump a quilt when a client tells me, No hurry, no rush, don't have a set date I need it by. If someone comes to me while the "no hurry" quilt is in que needing something done quickly, I will definitely bump the non deadline quilt. Your new LAQ is not a mind reader. She has no idea you wanted to gift the quilt in May. By all means, please give her the opportunity to do right by you and tell her that your intention was to gift the quilt and you really need to have it done within the next week or two. I am a part time quilter so I let people know that it usually takes me two weeks to complete a quilt as I only quilt on weekends. Most of my hand guided custom jobs take a good 16 to 20 hours of actual quilting time or more depending on density of quilting and how elaborate the designs are. This does not include design time and marking time if marking is involved. Also measuring and racking.

If your LAQ is doing an all over or computer generated quilt job it can be done in a day.

So please call her and let her know what your plans are. She should not be upset with you at all. This is simply a case of inadequate communication on both parts.

when I dropped it off we spent quite a bit of time going over how to quilt it and what color thread was going to be used on the front and back.We also went over the price. When she told me she didn't have any others at that time and it would be done in two weeks I just didn't think about telling her I needed it in May because It sounded like I would have it long before then.
I have seen her work and really want her to do it. I am off work tomorrow and will call being very polite.
Thanks for everyones input. I will let you know how it goes.

I agree with everyone. She told you 2-3 weeks. She needs a little reminder. My SIL is my LAQ, she works full time and does this in the evenings and on weekends. I'm not one of her top priorities due to the relationship (and family discount) but she always does 1st in 1st out unless someone does come with a rush job. Then she has called me and asked if she can put mine off. She has some ladies that drive 2 hours to bring her quilts and when they do they bring 6-10 king size quilts at a time. When they do that, she absolutely won't take in another quilt until she's done with them. By that time she needs a week or two break.

I agree with judylg. I'd ask for my quilt top back. She mislead you when you dropped it off apparently, since you found it under a pile later on. I had a LAQ that I used a couple of times -- first time it was finished right on the time she said. Next one was not, and I kept getting excuses. So....I found someone else.

She might do good work but she has very bad business practices. I would think twice about using her under the circumstances because she has already proven herself unreliable. Hope you got her price quote in writing!

I would say that you are paying her for the service and if the time frame that she gave you when you dropped it off to her has now passed, then a phone call is absolutely in order!

I would have asked when I took the second quilt in if my first one was almost done. Since she said two to three weeks and you were there at three weeks. It should have been done and ready to hand to you, or she should have told you then why she wasn't doing it yet. I would never let ANYTHING go more than a week past the promised by date without calling.

As a LA'er my thought is that you are not a priority with her. I would handle this situation in which ever way is best for you and gets you your quilt on time, and then I would look for someone who neither hoards loads of quilts and then doesn't get them done or promises and does not deliver.

I would call her and ask for a time frame, letting her know it's got a deadline attached. If she can't do it, then go get the quilt and take it elsewhere.

It's always good to be upfront with the process. She's had it since February and stated she had nothing else going on, yet you see a different quilt in the works. At that time I would've asked what was up and why was mine at the bottom of the pile when it started the pile. I would've taken it then. Some people who provide a service just don't realize you don't want to wait a lifetime for the finished product. My cousin will be doing mine. She lives in Florida and I know she let's everyone know what she has ahead of theirs and when to expect theirs. I've spoken with a couple here who have told me sometimes they have to "work one in" once in a while. No Thank You! They also tell me that it's not often to run behind a week or two. Again, No Thank You. Those weeks add up. It's taking me long enough to decide on a pattern and get it pieced (luckily the recipient of the quilt doesn't even know it's even in the thinking process). When I'm ready I will want a very good estimated completion date and I know I will get it.