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Moderated by Sharon1952
Posted on: 10/5/13 10:11 PM ET
Have my top finished and have come to conclusion that I will have a person long arm quilt it--it's a queen plus--almost a king. This will be my first experience with a long arm quilter and have gotten some recommendations. Need to know what questions to ask and other advice. This top is my baby and I hate to give up control but want it done. While I am open to an experienced quilter suggestions, I want it to be finished as per my vision. Is that a reasonable expectation? Happy stitching, Marge
Posted on: 10/5/13 11:11 PM ET
In reply to margeh
The best advise I can give is to get a list of quilters and ask about their style. Most LAQ will do pantograph, some do it exclusively, and some will do a combination of custom and panto, and others will do all custom work. You have to decide what type of quilting you want your quilt to have, how much you can afford and get price break down from all. Ask to see samples of their work. If you have narrowed your scope, then do face to face visit, to physically see samples of their work. This last suggestion, for me, is the most important.
I was given a list of local LAQ... I called all of them however only one had no long waiting period, the rest were several months out. When I stopped by we had a nice chat but she had no samples for me to see... major warning sign... she gave me recommendations of designs and threads so I agreed to have her quilt. She told me the quilt could be done by the end of the week and she had a couple days before she could work on my quilt... a second major warning sign - too quick turn around time. The next day I mentioned to a friend who was quilting my quilt... she said go immediately to retrieve it, in fact run as fast as you can because her work is really bad... poor tension, large spaces between designs, designs so poorly executed so they are unrecognizable!!! I called before I went to her place and told her I had a change of heart and wanted to do the work myself... when I arrived, she had just finished a small lap quilt. I was horrified at what I saw... I lied and told her the work was lovely and I was very sorry for changing my mind.... this was many years ago and I since then have been determined to learn FMQ'ing on my domestic machine. I am still learning but at least I feel I can tackle the work myself. If I ever choose a LAQ it will be the best I could possibly afford and one whose work has won awards. Sorry for the long winded explanation. For me it was a lesson learned.
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I was given a list of local LAQ... I called all of them however only one had no long waiting period, the rest were several months out. When I stopped by we had a nice chat but she had no samples for me to see... major warning sign... she gave me recommendations of designs and threads so I agreed to have her quilt. She told me the quilt could be done by the end of the week and she had a couple days before she could work on my quilt... a second major warning sign - too quick turn around time. The next day I mentioned to a friend who was quilting my quilt... she said go immediately to retrieve it, in fact run as fast as you can because her work is really bad... poor tension, large spaces between designs, designs so poorly executed so they are unrecognizable!!! I called before I went to her place and told her I had a change of heart and wanted to do the work myself... when I arrived, she had just finished a small lap quilt. I was horrified at what I saw... I lied and told her the work was lovely and I was very sorry for changing my mind.... this was many years ago and I since then have been determined to learn FMQ'ing on my domestic machine. I am still learning but at least I feel I can tackle the work myself. If I ever choose a LAQ it will be the best I could possibly afford and one whose work has won awards. Sorry for the long winded explanation. For me it was a lesson learned.
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Janome MC6700 Bernina Q16Plus Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1
Posted on: 10/5/13 11:30 PM ET
In reply to Warbler
A good warning. I have never used a LAQ, but if needed one I would want to see samples. Another possibility might be Amish quilters.
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
Posted on: 10/6/13 11:30 AM ET
I would ask this question at American Quilters Society, you don't say where you are from, but if you are in the USA then you have lots of choices. I have also heard of the American Quilters Guild, but that did not come up when I googled it.
But Society did. The best recommendations come from people who have used the service.
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But Society did. The best recommendations come from people who have used the service.
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Nancy B.
I sew with 4 Brothers and a Featherweight
Babylock Serger
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
Don't mess with Texas
I sew with 4 Brothers and a Featherweight
Babylock Serger
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
Don't mess with Texas
Posted on: 10/6/13 6:50 PM ET
Go to any local quilt guild shows and you will get a chance to see work from professional quilters in your area. I went to one yesterday where most of the quilts in the show had been quilted by long-armers. There were 4 or 5 quilting services represented, so it would have been a good opportunity to compare their work if I were in the market for that service.
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