Wunder-Mar

I agree - that's what I'd do.

desertrose

Since the fabric has been washed already I don't know if they will take it back but since it was her sales clerk that made the miscalculation and not you she should at least give you the fabric it will take to make a pieced backing for your quilt. In the future if they calculate the yardage and it doesn't seem right I'd ask them if they added in the border additions you made before cutting the backing fabric. Sorry for your diappointing experience. We trust that LQS clerks know what they are doing when they offer to calculate the proper yardages we need. I know I would have taken their yardage over my, math challenged brain. :roll: :roll: :roll:

smitty

Sounds like a great solution to me, too. and a pieced back will hardly show. you probably need more than you think if you
are going to send it to be quilted or even for yourself, you
need extra fabric all around. I never take some else's
calculations without checking it myself a couple of times.

Oksewnsew

Having owned a quilt shop at one time, she should be responsible for not figuring correctly. I would also explain that you washed it, and it shrunk 4+"...that is quite possible. She can turn around and resell it as damaged, and still make her money back.. Don't back down, stick to your guns!!

J

BETTY62

I would take the fabric and sales receipt back to the fabric shop and explain the situation. Hopefully they will do the right thing and allow you to exchange the fabric you purchased for the amount of fabric you really need.

gramarraine

Being a ex-shop owner I can understand how the shop owner made the mistake. We used to tell our customers to tell us what they want and we would cut it. It is as difficult for shop owners to figure the amount needed as it is for the customer. I would definately know how much to buy before going back if I were you. Do you have to buy the full piece again or can you do some creative piecing and get by with the piece you already have?

szyquilt

I appreciate all your advice.

I did go to the shop with my measurements ready and only changed my plan based on the shop owner's advice.
I hadn't planned to buy the backing during this particular trip, only the borders. I should have double-checked her measurements before buying the backing.

I'll just count this as a learning experience. I'll use what I have, make adjustments to my borders to make it work and stick to "my" plan on future projects. Thanks for listening to my vent!

dunster

Thanks for letting us know. I think you've made the right decision.

pjnesler

I'd go back and go over the figures with her, in the back of her mind, she may already know she had a "senior moment" and just made a mistake.... Hopefully if you go back, it won't happen to another quilter again if she accepts this as a learning experience. Worth a try ;)

NJ Quilter

Had a similar situation not long ago at my LQS. I had my top with me, no borders planned, just looking for backing. New employee punches numbers into the fabric calculator, tells me yardage. I always buy extra from 1/4 to 1/2 yard. Bought an extra 1/2 yard and was still quite a bit short. Had to go back and buy more. New employee was not there at the time, everyone else busy. Needed the fabric anyhow so just bought the fabric and left. I'll be going by MY calcuations next time.