twinkie

I have never had a LA Quilter keep the extra backing material. I would nicely just say, "First, you did a fantastic job on my quilt and I am really pleased. Second, I had plans to use the extra backing but I see you forgot to give it to me. What would be the best time for me to pick it up?"

AngelinaMaria

sherryl1--I didn't mean to imply that she was intentionally keeping the fabric as a way of "stealing" from me at all. I just wasn't sure what the normal protocols were (both cutting down the "extra" on the sides and returning the fabric or not). For all I know, she may just toss out the sides if they are not more than a certain width and that is why she only returned one side. As I stated above, because of the difficult situation she is in right now, I won't be asking her about this as I don't want to bother or trouble her at all. In the future, if I use her again I can discuss what her normal procedures are with loading the quilt on the rack, cutting the batting and backing, etc. so I will be better educated. This is still a learning experience for me and I will be learning along the way. It is the feedback on these formus that really helps me get up to speed quicker. Thanks.

peggles

I always return the extra material from the backing just for the reason you stated. Many customers want to use the pieces for the binding. Once in a while a stray piece will escape, but not often. I would email the long armer and tell her that you'd like to use the backing pieces for the binding, but the piece that was returned isn't big enough. Ask her if she can locate the missing pieces. It doesn't mean she kept them on purpose, but she'll probably be more careful in the future.
Peggles

butterflies5518

I have gotten all of mine back!

knlsmith

Please consider another option, perhaps she used the excess to warm up and also check her tension before quilting on a top you worked so hard and lovingly on. I always use the sides for warm up and to check my tension on the sides, especially since it is the exact same fabric and batting I will be sewing on.

Since she gave you some back, this would be my guess, but there is no harm in giving her a call and asking.

vmhlake

I always get my extra backing and batting back, and I expect to, if the LAQ wanted some she should have asked you beforehand. I would send an email and ask her if she still had them as you planned to use them for the binding.

granny216

My machine quilter is a gem and I've been doing business with her since she started. My quilts are returned and I trim them. I always have uses for the excess fabric and batting. I don't send batting. I pay her as she always has wool, polyester and cotton on hand and I do prefer cotton.

Panchita

At our shop as a matter of policy any extra batting or fabric is returned to the customer with the quilt. Many people use the excess fabric for binding, as you anticipated.

However, as others have said, it is often necessary to trim down the backing and batting provided in order to load it on to the machine properly - so the trimming you describe may be down to the original size of the fabric. That said, I would always recommend providing backing and batting that is a bit more than you think is needed in case the fabric needs straightening due to the grain being off (rather than providing exact size fabric/batting which could cause problems - the longarmer can take it off to achieve the right size but can't add more on!).

As a general rule with us the quilt is given to the customer as it came off the longarm - no "post-quilting" trimming is done. If a customer requested trimming we would assume (tho would ask!) that they meant for it to be trimmed so that it was 'binding-ready' rather than having to trim again.

And there is always the possibility of oversight - it happens to us all!

jollyquilting

The long armer always returns the extra fabric and batting with it.

Drue

I don't think this is a common practice, at least not with the LA's I know or with the ones I know who send their quilts out to have them LAed..... I really never heard of such! I would call her and ask for it and tell her that you plan to use it. If she's thrown it away, she can replace it for you or compensate you for what it might have cost you or what it costs you to replace it. I certainly wouldn't just let it go since you did plan a use for it.
Just my personal opinion here.