Quilting Question
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mechanicsville, IA
Posts: 1,497
Some do. I wouldn't. I spent a lot of $ taking classes on quilting and also on how to maintain my APQS Millenium, personally, I would not feel comfortable renting it out to someone who is inexperienced.
#12
Same in my area, there are shops that do, one gal in my guild that does. It is not inexpensive with the required classes and the time required once you add mounting the quilt onto the machine. you have to have the endurance also to be able to do all this in one visit most likely. I just would feel rushed to get it done and don't think I would enjoy the experience. That said, I have a laundry basket full of tops that need to be quilted.
#13
I know the one around here that rents only requires one all-day class for $125, but then you are "certified" to rent their machine. I don't know what the hourly rate is, but I was fortunate to be able to get my own. That's how I learned at my old LQS. They did the same thing, where they had a class and then would let you rent time on their second LA. The owners and staff were always around to help if there were any problems and assist in loading and rolling.
I definitely feel that it is a good idea to rent first if possible, before purchasing one, to see if you like to LA. I like to do my quilts from beginning to end and have never sent one to a quilter. It was not a matter of cost, just a matter of saying that the quilt is all mine. However, that is just me. That said, I would not let someone come use my own personal machine due to all the issues mentioned by others.
I definitely feel that it is a good idea to rent first if possible, before purchasing one, to see if you like to LA. I like to do my quilts from beginning to end and have never sent one to a quilter. It was not a matter of cost, just a matter of saying that the quilt is all mine. However, that is just me. That said, I would not let someone come use my own personal machine due to all the issues mentioned by others.
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
I'm the same way. Although I look at what a real longarm artist can do and I know someday I want that done to something for myself, to keep!
#16
Have you looked at buying extra back support?
#17
We also have some very dedicated LA'ers in my area who don't do custom quilting but feel their niche is to fill the LA void and do overall quilting at a less expensive price. I only learned about them through word of mouth. They want people referred to them so there is some level of expectation ... and much less hassle.
Ask around if someone does this in your area.
Ask around if someone does this in your area.
#19
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
before I purchased my machine 10 years ago I took a 'certification class' at a shop which was $50- I learned the machine, cleaning, winding bobbins, threading, checking tension, loading the quilt- did a practice quilt...at the end of the class I received a certificate stating I had been (trained) to use the machine- then I had the opportunity to rent time on the machine for $20 an hour- the owner being present to help if there were any problems- after I purchased my machine I too offered the same deal to people who would rather finish their quilt instead of paying me to do it for them- off & on over the years I have had people take advantage of that opportunity...9 times out of 10 after the class and perhaps doing one of their own they decide they would rather just pay me to quilt for them instead- they find out it is actually work. they always still have the opportunity to do their own though-if they choose to do so.
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