What can I do ?
 

I have just got a large quilt ( 90inches square ) back from a Long Arm quilter and who I haven't been to before --
( and who is extremely lovely ) She has done a wonderful job on the quilting but she has squared it up for me.
The trouble is she has feather quilted the outside border right to the edge where she has cut it and I also put four star blocks in each of the corners and unfortunately she has not left me enough fabric round the edge where she has cut for me through all three layers (top, wadding and backing ) to then add the binding.
When I now add the binding I will have to sew into the quilting and I will lose the points off the 4 corner star blocks. I really don't want to complain because she is so nice and has recently started up her business. We all have to start somewhere and I know she would be so upset. I will contact her and offer some constructive criticism - but in the meantime can anyone suggest a remedy ?
Thank you.

since it's already trimmed, I'm not sure there's anything you can do, however, if it's all the corners, it will look like a design element. I would tell her, if she is close by, I would bring the quilt to explain the issue. I don't know if UK long arm quilters normally trim the quilt when it's done, but the quilters I've dealt with here do not normally trim if they do, it's an additional charge agreed to in advance.
If you have her quilt for you in the future, make sure you tell her not to trim!

I cannot be of any help with this but for the future, I always have my long-arm quilter just let me do the trimming the way I want it. I learned with a baby quilt that had some issues like you are dealing with. My suggestion, if all the stars will still be the same with the binding, try and work around it. I understand your pain.

I don't have a suggestion for how not to cover the feather quilting. However, although I don't know exactly what your stars look like, could you somehow make the stars 3-D so that they extend loosely out into the border by adding fabric star points that match the current stars to the top of the quilt? I am not sure I am explaining too good but maybe you get what I mean? Just a thought ...

I had this happen to me, too.

I was not happy.

I do not have a viable suggestion, except to bind it - and - as much as this pains me to say this - most of the people that see it probably won't notice it.

You better tell this lady sooner rather than later so she doesn't do this to anyone else. I don't know what would make her do such a thing. If she is doing long arm work she must have made quilts in the past and should know better.

Is there 1/4" beyond the points of the corner squares? If so, I would sew binding to the front side with a 1/4" seam, turn the binding to the back and hand sew the binding to the back. If you don't have 1/4", I don't think there's anything you can do.

Honestly, I would not want a longarmer doing any cutting of my quilt without my express request. She may not be aware that there are many different ways to bind a quilt. Personally, I like to "square" my quilts with marker lines and then sew my binding on *before* I trim the quilt sandwich. Works a lot better for me. My cookies would be frosted if I had to sew binding on 1/4" away from the edge of my quilt sandwich. :eek:

Your longarmer needs to create a one-page contract that specifies things such as whether you want the quilt squared up or not. It's not something that should ever be done to someone else's quilt automatically, but is a nice freebie for someone who would appreciate the service.

Oh my goodness. She definitely needs to be told so that she does not do this again to another customer's quilt. Unfortunately the only thing I know to do is chalk it up as a learning experience and she should offer you a partial refund.

I have learned to state the obvious in writing when paying anyone to do a job. You would think a LA would know binding has to be sewn on with a seam allowance. She should give you an immediate refund for her mistake and insist on it. Wouldn't you?

I have done the flange that Tartan referred to also. it looked very nice when done.

Sounds like Tartan's suggestion would be your best option... but you definitely need to let this lovely lady know your predicament even though she is "lovely."

I like to have a little batting sticking out beyond the edge of the quilt top. That way the binding gets "full".
This LA is new. She has to learn sometime. Tell her nicely.

Let this "lovely lady" know what this dilemma has caused you and you may find out how "lovely" she is but let her know you appreciate her thoughtfulness but please ask about your choice in the future if you have her services again.

I do not have suggestions for how to "fix" this problem. My comments are on the squaring up of a quilt. I do longarm quilt for friends and I always ask the person if they want me to square it up. Most say yes (especially when it is a large quilt), but some say no. Here are a couple reasons the squaring up process cuts into the corners.

1. The quilting "sucks up" fabric.
2. The piecer does not leave enough room along the edges to "keep the corners" from being cut into or but is so close to the edge binding covers it.

I would definitely speak with the person that you had quilt for you. If she is a beginner quilter, she may not realize yet that she has to keep the quilting design away form the edge, i.e leave enough room between the feathers and the binding area. (I am referring to custom quilting and not edge to edge).

Do not worry that she is a lovely person and be afraid of hurting her feelings, just be tactful and honest. She needs to know what you think of her quilting and that will help her improve her skills. Not telling her, but telling others will only hurt her business.

I don't think I would ask for a partial refund as was suggested by another person. I would have to know more about any pre quilting discussion you had with her about how you wanted it quilted, etc. etc. Did you tell her to "quilt it anyway she wanted to", "for her to decide" what to quilt on it, etc. or were you specific with what you wanted quilted on it??? What is done, is done.

I only have one person that I quilt for that is very specific about how she wants it quilted and she wants to square it up on her own.

Another friend always has me square it up, but most of the time I am struggling to keep all the points on her corners, and do the best I can.

I hope you discuss with your quilter what you DID and did not like about the quilting when you got it back.

Ellen

Sorry that has happened! You should let her know, though. Future clients may not be so understanding! Maybe in a friendly tone you could ask her "How do you suggest I bind the quilt now so the points (etc, etc) will show?"
You will definitely be doing her a big favor so think of it that way!

Sorry I don't have a solution... but as a longarmer, I usually ASK the customer if they want the excess trimmed 1/2" to the edge, leaving 1/2" backing and batting/wadding sticking out beyond the top. I don't charge for this. BUT... it is NOT the same thing as "squaring up".

I'm so sorry that you have this situation. It would be a good idea to show her your top and explain the problem. If that had been my goof, I would have apologized profusely, learned from my mistake, and offer either a discount on the existing quilt or a discount on a future quilt. If she truly wants to be a professional, she will appreciate the insight.
:(

Good morning,
Thank you all so much for your kind comments and replies to my dilemma.
I have machine sewn on the binding on the front of the quilt by "just biting the bullet " and going for it. I have managed to "fudge" the corner star bocks, losing some of the points but unfortunately have lost the tips of all the feathers on the border as she cut the fabric through all three layers - right on the edge. I have taken some photos of the problem and will show her next time I see her. I will give her another quilt to quilt for me ( I am very pleased with the quilting on the body of the quilt ) - and I will be very specific re my needs and concerns. I must say - she did offer to square the quilt for me and I agreed. The quilt is very large and because I have some back problems and a recent fractured ankle - I thought it would be beneficial for me ! I will not do that again and I will ask her to leave me at least half an inch on the border not quilt it to the edge.
I am still hand sewing the binding on to the back of the quilt and I will add a photo when I finish it.
Thank you all again for some very helpful tips.
Best wishes to all you very talented and helpful ladies - I love QB !!

Believe I would have carried it back to her and ask her for suggestions for how to apply the binding. She may know something we don't. I would not ask for a refund.

Try to line up points in the binding! I know this will take many extra minutes of your time, but I've never seen it done before and could add an additional depth to your quilt! See what I mean...
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I would certainly ask for a refund or discount. The one who made the mistake should have a consequence for it or it shows the mistake didn't matter that much. Dismissing the mistake as it's okay gives support to the Whatever mentality that many have when they mess up.

Could you add another border and take it back to her and have her quilt it and not cut it? It sounds hard but you can do it. Just a small boarder would work.