ckcowl

start with calling around- check with a local quilt shop- see who they use- call and ask lots of questions (not as if you are planning to compete with them- but ask what it costs---some charge by the inch- some by the foot- some by the project-
and the next one of yours you do- set a timer when you start to load it- each time you walk away- stop the timer- see exactly how much time you spend- write that down- and the measurements---remember mimimum wage is like $7.75 an hour- and that's minimum---i know my time is worth more than that!
most long-arm quilters expect the quilt top, backing and batting to arrive ready to be loaded and quilted- you should charge extra if you are having to square- or press any of the pieces-that is not generally included in cost of quilting. and if you have to trim the quilt after unloading-that is extra too-
some charge by the bobbin for thread- extra for color changes- some include the thread in their quilting price- there are lots of variables-
but if you choose to do it for the prices your little group are (hoping for) you may find yourself spending 18 hours a day trying to get everyone elses quilts done- with no time to ever make another one yourself...
after calling around and finding out what everyone else is charging it is ok to charge your close little group less if you want- but be careful- word of mouth travels FAST!you may want to tell them- i am only charging YOU this price- anyone else would have to pay.....

dunster

If you want to be in the LAQ business, do it on your own terms and set prices where you need to. You're under no obligation to give your services away simply because another quilter chose to do so.

sweetpea

You quilt are lovely, you should only take on the quilting bus. If is some thing would like to do. If turn into a job it is not fun any more. I charge for the quilting by the sq. yd.

Rose L

I live on the prairie in Nebraska where the cost of living is dirt cheap and I paid the local quilt shop $100 to do a twin size. And believe me it was VERY lightly quilted. I'm afraid your friends are trying to take advantage of you in a big big way!!

Zhillslady

I knew I'd get some good advice but this is great advice. The LSQ owner has become a friend over the 8 years I've been going in and her sister does the LA there so maybe a trip tomorrow to talk to her. Those prices seemed insane to me and I think mostly I wanted to know if I was the only one that thought so. I figured maybe I was just over rating myself but for $30 or $40 it seemed a lot of work. You're all absolutely right. Because she chose to work for a crazy rate doesn't mean I do just so they are all happy. I have spent the pas t year studying Joyce Meyers book on not being a people pleaser so maybe time to kick it in gear. Thank you all again for all the advice. I didn't want to charge professional prices becasue I'm not one but I do have about $3000 investing in my frame combo so saw no need to do them for free either.

snipforfun

The LA that I use for edge to edge charges 1.06/sq. inch and I feel that is a bargain. I have paid up to $500 for a couple that were custom. Perhaps you should join the Yahoo Group called Machine Quilting Professionals. You'll get some good advice from those who do LA.

laurlync

Your quilts are beautiful. I love them all.

I am wanting to get a beginner (budget friendly) frame and machine and the prices I found for your setup have my interest piqued. Can you tell me what size throat your Juki has and how wide of a design you can quilt? Do you feel this is a good beginner setup for the money?

I would appreciate any advice you may have.

Scissor Queen

Ask yourself this, "Do I want to spend all of my free time quilting for somebody else at rock bottom wages?"

You'll end up with no time to do your own quilting and everybody and their sister will come out of the woodwork to have you quilt a quilt at about a quarter of what it should cost.

mom-6

I have not inquired into LAQ pricing as yet, but I know I personally would expect to pay more than the amounts you mentioned.
Part of the reason I haven't inquired, as I don't want to take advantage of anyone's generosity and for now I'll just do ones I can manage myself. Also I do have a machine capable of doing it when I feel confident enough with my small items to go to something larger. And in the mean time I can always hand quilt!

Don't sell yourself (your expertise, your time, your equipment investment) short!

bearisgray

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

YOU spent the money on the long arm,

YOU would be spending the money on the thread, maintenance, etc.

YOU would be spending the time on the thing - I would think it would take almost as long to set up a "little" quilt as a "big" quilt - I don't know - but that's the part I would dread

If you really don't want to do it - quote a ridiculously high price - and if they scream and holler - say "Hey, feel free to go elsewhere - I really don't want to do this" -

and maybe stop at that part of the sentence - I would be tempted to add "for cheapskates that have no comprehension of what's involved" - but you may want to talk to these people again or deal with them - so some politeness may be in order. :mrgreen:

As someone else said - just because someone else chose to give away her services - no need for you to do the same.