What Should I Pay for This Custom Long-Armed Quilting?
 

Long story short... I made two quilts that I really loved, but I didn't know how to quilt them. I found a long-arm quilter that does beautiful work. I pretty much left it up to her how to quilt it because I had no clue. My only request was that I wanted the blocks to stand out from the background on the first one (first two pictures). She said that she would "try" to keep the cost below $200. We never discussed the price on the second one (third and fourth pictures).

That was last June, and she told me not to expect them back until December. The only correspondence that I received from her was in November saying that she would start my beautiful quilt soon. After 11 months I received the quilts in the mail with this note:

"...Your quilts are finished & I think turned out wonderful. Because I have had them so long there w/be NO charge for the quilting - I was so busy this past year that I didn't know whether I was coming or going - and they got put on the back burner - My apologies for the delay..."

No way will I let her give me the custom quilting for "NO charge." The first one is 55 inches x 76 inches, and the second one is 47 inches square. What do you think is a fair price to pay her?

I have no idea, but she did some beautiful work.... I hope the others that do LAing will pipe in and let you know.

Beautiful quilts and quilting!! I would pay what you agreed on, or in the ball park, minus 10-20% for the lateness. Now, how to get her to accept the money? If you send a check she may not cash it. Paypal she may not pick up.
I take it she is not local, near you? Maybe you could suggest making a contribution to her favorite charity.

I agree, a small deduction from the original quoted price would not be out of order. If she won't accept the money, she might accept a gift card to a shop she frequents for quilting supplies, or as PT mentioned - just make a donation to a charity and ask the charity if they have "gift cards" for donations (many do).

It was wonderful work and deserves to be compensated!

Very nice quilts - would love to see more of the lone star (hint hint!)

Sue

I think I would send her at least the $200.00 & tell her that it is a donation for her work. It was really nice of her to not charge for being so late getting them back to you. I have known a few that have kept quilts that long & still charged the regular price for quilting them. Beautiful quilts by the way.

I'm a longarmer and if I'm late getting your quilt to you I deduct 5% for every month I'm late and a 10% discount on the next quilt I do for you. By the way I am not usually late unless I get sick or my machine goes down. Then I call and let them know what is going on.
Your quilts and the quilting is lovely.

If she said no cost then honor her wishes. She knows how she feels about it. My favorite thank you gifts to send are gift baskets from Wolferman's. http://www.wolfermans.com

They are fabulous. ptquilts has a good idea to follow. The quilting is extraordinary as are the quilts.
peace

Full Pictures
 

Here are pictures of the quilt tops before the long-armer quilted them.

The first one I made while taking a Karen Combs "More Patchwork Illusions" class.

The second one was my class project from a Marsha McCloskey workshop.

I like the idea of a gift box/bag/tower/etc. That way you acknowledge the beautiful work and don't have to do what she asked you not to.