I've always done my own quilting -- some by hand, most by sewing machine. But there's this king-sized bed one that I want to send to someone to long-arm quilt. I've never done this before.
What should I look for in a long-arm quilter? Do they ever email you pictures of their quilts? Does that even help me know if she's good at it? I've decided to contact my favorite LQS's owner, whom I frequently email for sewing and embroidery machines advice, etc. She knows I'm housebound. I'm going to ask for names of quilters that she knows and recommends. I've noticed that there are always business cards on their counter from quilters.
Do they give me choices of patterns, or stick to their own? I just want something rather simple for this particular quilt, but it does have some nice "empty" spaces that the quilting will really show up. I'm assuming a good quilter will have ideas as to what would be best for this quilt.
What is expected of me? Should I expect to pay in advance, or after it's all done? What else?
I'm not going to mail it, because I just plain don't trust "them." My DD will be able to take it and pick it up here in town.
I want to find a good quilter, and also want to be a good customer.
When I took my first quilt to a long arm quilter, I got a recommendation from the LQS of a woman who had a website that I could see some of her work, the patterns she has available and her costs. I did take the quilt to her and ask her opinion on what pattern would be best for my quilt. She picked one out that I hadn't thought of and it turned out beautifully.
First you have to decide what kind of quilting you want done...do you want a long arm quilter, a hand quilter? Maybe you could call a few and see if any of them would be willing to stop by your house (just explain that you are house bound) and share their pattern books with you to help you pick out what you want? And they can also help you with thread color choice! Also, don't layer your top, batting and backing until you ask what the quilter prefers. Mine requested that the top and backing be pressed and gently folded to minimize creasing. She also had batting by the bolt on hand, and I purchased that from her instead of buying it ahead of time and taking it with me.
Timing is another thing. Make sure you aren't in a rush, or if you have a deadline that you have to have the quilt, call early and get yourself on the schedule. Allow the quilter a reasonable amount of time to finish the quilt as well. I scheduled mine about 2 weeks ahead of time for drop off, and knew that she wouldn't get to it for awhile. I think I got it back about a month later. Sometimes it takes even longer to get on the list to get a quilt quilted. Most don't do the binding either....that's up to you!
I don't think I paid anything up front, even though I was expecting to. Her response to me was, "I have your quilt." Meaning that I wasn't going to get my quilt back from her until I paid her...kind of a collateral thing. Of course, I was exhausted when I dropped it off to her and hadn't even thought of that!
HTH, I'm sure that some quilters here will have more and better information.
1) Most LAQ (long arm quilters) have pictures of their work -- but if you can't get to her... a personal recommendation from someone you trust should be okay. Ask for several references. A good LAQ is well known -- and usually has a several month waiting list. If she can take your work right away.... I would be a bit curious. Ask friends... call one or two LQS's and ask for names... see if any of the same name(s) are shared. You can't err on too many referrals/recommendations. Remember -- what is acceptable to you -- (or more importantly NOT acceptable) varies from individual. I have seen quilts where a majority of points are close... but do not match. For me -- (except for the true beginner) this is UNacceptable. I would not want this person doing any work for me. Make sure you and your LAQ are on the same page about what you expect.
2) Design-wise -- different LAQ work differently. Some will want you to give them VERY specific instructions. Some are fine with "quilt it like you would if it were your own". If you go with the second -- especially on a king sized quilt -- be prepared for a hefty cost. An all over repeated design is far less expensive than very customized quilting. The more she has to start and stop, change thread, the longer it takes... the more it will cost. If you are on a budget -- make it known to her. Don't just talk design -- talk $$$$. (Remember -- just like in anything else-- each LAQ will have some things she does well -- some not so well. What does THIS LAQ like to do? Does she hate feathers? or cables? Does she LOVE to stipple tightly? Be sure to ask
-- you don't want to ask someone to spend several days doing something for you that they really do not like to do.)
3) Be sure your quilt backing is at least 8 - 10 bigger than your bottom -- in both directions. (some say 4-6 inches). Ask her what she wants -- but DO NOT cut it short as this will make her task more difficult. Do you want her to trim it when she is finished -- or leave it to you to trim? If you want your scraps back... be sure to ask for them up front. I often find that these nice long lengths work well for bindings -- if not on this quilt -- on another quilt some day. That is why I usually make them about 4 inches wider on both sides of the quilt (my 8 - 10" measurement). That leaves me plenty of room to trim up to make that scrap useful!.
4) On the large quilts I have had done by a LAQ -- I usually offer to pay a deposit. After all -- they do have expenses before they begin -- they need plenty of thread... batting (I don't usually supply my own -- you LAQ may provide it (at a cost) or ask you to provide it).
5) Ask for a specific date as to when she anticipates it being completed. Good LAQ keep a tight calendar. Short of machine breakdown -- they are usually ready when they say (or within a day or two) as they have another one already slated to go.
6) Again -- make sure you talk $$$ A king sized quilt could run anywhere from $100-150 for an overall meandering (maybe a bit less??) to $300-$400 or more for very customized, detailed quilting. Make sure you and she talk very specifically about the budget so you don't get a whopper of a bill when you are finished.
I guess that is it for now. I love my long arm quilter. She is in Minnesota. I'm now in Michigan. I still send my work to her. (Insured, signature required - makes it less likely to be mislaid).
I have had 4 quilts quilted on a long arm. The first one was a mystery quilt through my guild. Anyone who participated in making the quilt and brought it to the meeting where we showed them off (only had to have the top done), you name went into a drawing for 1 of 3 free LAQ. I won one of those thus able to work with the gal. I had seen some of her work on quilts at guild show and tell. When I needed the other 2 quilts done, they needed custom quilting, not all over design. When I called the first gal, she is the one who told me I needed to contact the other person who is known for her custom work. Again, I had soon some work at guild. The 4th was for my nephew's wedding quilt this summer. The other
2 were not available. Again, I got recommendations through guild
When you talk to them, you want to know:
1) How much they charge
2) How bad is their back log. The second gal is so popular around here that you have to plan at least a 6 week wait to get your quilt back
3) What type of batting do you prefer. The first 2 like my warm and white, the 3rd gal does not. She insisted the batting have scrim and preferred Hobbs 80/20
4) Names of referrals so you can see the work they do for someone else, not just what they want to show you.
In some areas, six weeks is a SHORT time. I'm currently booking quilts for May 2007 -- I've been booked out six to nine months for at least the last five years. I know from quilters calling around that the only people in my area booked out less than at least three months are rank beginners. (Interesting how much turnover there is among longarmers. At my guild show last night, one of my girlfriends noted that besides me, there was only one other longarmer who had also been in the show two years ago.)
Enjoy your fast turn arounds with a big smile, remembering how good you have it! :)
The best would be to see the quilting in person. Given that you're housebound, that will take a little creativity on your part. The LQS owner would be a good resource. Do they have shop samples done by the local longarmers? How about friends at your guild -- any of them have work done by a longarmer they'd be willing to show you?
The reason it's better to see it in person is that while a picture can show you the style of the quilting, you can't see a lot of the quality from a picture. Are the stitches as even as you'd like? Are the starts and stops how you like them? How are the points? Tension?
Depends on the quilter. Definitely something to bring up with the quilter.
Some ask for a partial payment up front, some don't. Each quilter has their own requirements, so I'd suggest asking them exactly this question. Far better to have clear communication in advance!
Dannielle -- thank you! I think you have some very good advice! I'm taking notes and can see that I came to the right place to get clued in. I didn't even think about the quilter having her own choice of batting, but it makes sense, doesn't it? What would work best with her machine, of course.
Thanks again!
René
First you have to decide what kind of quilting you want done...do you want a long arm quilter, a hand quilter? Maybe you could call a few and see if any of them would be willing to stop by your house (just explain that you are house bound) and share their pattern books with you to help you pick out what you want? And they can also help you with thread color choice! Also, don't layer your top, batting and backing until you ask what the quilter prefers. Mine requested that the top and backing be pressed and gently folded to minimize creasing. She also had batting by the bolt on hand, and I purchased that from her instead of buying it ahead of time and taking it with me.
Timing is another thing. Make sure you aren't in a rush, or if you have a deadline that you have to have the quilt, call early and get yourself on the schedule. Allow the quilter a reasonable amount of time to finish the quilt as well. I scheduled mine about 2 weeks ahead of time for drop off, and knew that she wouldn't get to it for awhile. I think I got it back about a month later. Sometimes it takes even longer to get on the list to get a quilt quilted. Most don't do the binding either....that's up to you!
I don't think I paid anything up front, even though I was expecting to. Her response to me was, "I have your quilt." Meaning that I wasn't going to get my quilt back from her until I paid her...kind of a collateral thing. Of course, I was exhausted when I dropped it off to her and hadn't even thought of that!
HTH, I'm sure that some quilters here will have more and better information.
Well, I don't think this simple quilt would be worth too much to anyone else, but I do believe in paying adequately for skilled workmanship. We all appreciate bargains, but there are some times you don't want to cut corners and be cheap. I designed and have sewn this quilt for my DD, and even though it's not heirloom quality, I still want it to look its best for her. :)
Kate -- thank you so much for your answers! And your tip about the LAQ being on more than one shops' list is a great one. I also appreciate your advice about getting in touch with what the quilter likes to do and does best. I know how much I hate having to do something I don't like.
Ah, Kathy -- just one of those Long Arm Quilters I'm so worried about! LOL I agree that it would be best if I could actually see some examples and/or samples to determine if it is what I expect. And you've convinced me that, like most things, communication will be the key to being happy with the result.
Thank you for your expert advice -- I really appreciate it!
Taria, thank you for that website! Just looking over some of her quilts gave me a better idea of what I'd want for my quilt. I really liked the yellow prints Dresden Plate with the sun-ray type quilting. The quilting pattern was exactly perfect for that quilt.
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