What is a resonable amount of time to expect your quilt back if the longarm quilt doesn't give you her turnaround time? I've used this longarm quilter in the past and a month was her turnaround time. Gave her one a few months ago with a due date of 1 month, she didn't say anything about it being too soon, etc. After 6 weeks I called her and she said "when do you need it?", told her wanted to gift it the next weekend and she had it for me in a few days.

Gave her 2nd quilt when I picked first one up, agreed on due date of 7/23 - a month. Asked should I call you? No, she said she'd call me. Here it is Aug. 9 and I haven't heard from her even after I've called her last week. Thought I'd ask here if I'm being unreasonable wanting my quilt back after almost 7 weeks. She does excellent work, gives guild members a reasonable price but it isn't worth it if I have to beg to get my quilts back. The one she has now is a queen size, simple meander requested and I want it back so I can add binding. It's for DS#2 and his wife's 30th anniversary which will be in 2 weeks. Let me know what you think, May in Jersey

I know that if you want to stay in business you need to respect time frames or at least call and give an update if you can't make it in time. Kind of like going to the Drs. and maybe seeing them an hour after the appointment!!

I never hesitate to call. I'm freindly and accept if they explain was a problem but they should have made the initial call if not done as discussed. I only quilt for friends and they still expect a call if I won't have ready when promised.

It is a tough call. Sometimes stuff just happens. Machines breakdown, quilter gets sick or has an ill family member. However, a phone call is in order if an agreed upon deadline can not be met. She may be getting more business than anticipated. I know of some LA quilters that are booked out over a year in advance, and many more whose waiting list is several months. LAers who don't quilt full time, like myself, take longer as well. On average, I need a quilt for at least two weeks just for the quilting process. If others come along they have to wait as well. It is very easy to get behind if one little snag happens but communication to the customer is in order always. Even in an emergency situation once the emergency has passed a phone call should be made and definitely returned.

I try very hard to return quilts to my customers in a timely manner, especially when we have an agreed upon due date. That being said, stuff happens. Illness, family problems, machine breaking down, the quilt that should have take 4 hours to quilt takes 4 days, thunderstorms when you don't want to run the machine......you get the idea.

But if I am having some kind of unexpected delay, I will call the customer and let her know.

Since your LAer hasn't done so, I would call her and remind her that you needed it for a particular date.

I think you're well within your rights to make a friendly call and inquire about your quilt, since it is past the agreed upon deadline.

Did you get the date in writing?
After seeing all these posts on LAing, I would make sure I got something in writing, signed by both parties. If the LA-er doesn't provide a standard contract (ask before you go), I would write out something at home and bring it with you with the following info.
Today's Date:
Your Name:
YOur Phone:
Your eMail:
Quilt Description:
Length in Inches:
Width in Inches:
Total Square Inches:
Type of Quilting:
Name of stencil/Panto (if applicable):
Who provides batting?
Type of batting:
If provided by LA service, $ of batting:
Who provides backing?
If provided by LA service, $ of backing:
If seaming is done by LA service, $ seaming:
estimated Total Cost:
Completion Date:

It is understood that the Long Armer will contact the quilter with any issues.
The quilt top will not be altered in any way without written consent of the quilter.

Then the LA & Quilter will both sign.
Probably not a legal document, but it will go a long way to prevent misunderstanding

It is no different than any other business. If you aren't going to be able to meet or keep the agreement than they should be the one contactingu.
However, it does not hurt to call them a week or so ahead of time to remind them, especially if they have a history of being forgetful.

If you like this quilter and her prices, maybe this will be the norm if you continue to use her. If it is unacceptable to deal with this each time, maybe find another one? :D:D:D

If she gave you a date then she should stick to that date, or at the very least close to it. I would call her and ask about it. I know there is a shop here that does LAQ and they are already booked past christmas, other are a 3-4 month wait. but you should ask her about it to be certian

I think I would call and find out what's happening. If she gave a date to expect it, the quilt should be completed by that date or she should call and explain to you why it isn't finished. Please let us know what happens.