dunster

"just the stitching"???

I do my own quilting, on my home sewing machine. It takes me about the same amount of time to do the quilting as to do all the cutting and piecing. A longarmer could do the same thing faster, but better, and they can also do much more elaborate quilting designs. Most longarmers definitely earn the money they charge. You also have to remember that their machines are very costly.

chickadee_42us

diogirl - love your avatar. Hollywood isn't near as star worthy anymore.

diogirl

My point is if you are selling your quilt, how do you sell it if you have to jack up your price $100 to cover the cost of someone quilting it for you? And i'm not talking elaborate stitching..i'm talking stipple.

Scissor Queen

Then you're going to have to do it yourself. Longarmers aren't in business to give away their time and you should expect to pay for it. They deserve to make a profit too.

It's pretty tough to compete with "bed in a bag" quilts that you can buy for less than $50 bucks anyway.

Darlene

I saw a mid-arm set up recently and was amazed what a lot of work it takes to just set up the quilt to be quilted. Around here they charge by the inch plus a lot of little charges that can add up for fancier stuff.

diogirl

So bottom line, do it yourself unless you have $100 laying around? :lol:

Chele

Longarm quilters are a talented bunch. I think they make the quilts and deserve every bit of what they charge. Maybe quilt your utilitarian quilts yourself and only splurge on a special quilt. You won't be disappointed!

Jim's Gem

Or $200 or so!
I have never had one done cause I think I can't afford it as well. I have quilted about 15 queen size quilts myself on my regular size sewing machine. However, my quilting is basic, it is nothing compared to the gorgeous stitching I have seen from many of the long-arm owners in our group. Some day I dream of having my own long-arm to quilt my own quilts with. Until then I will have not so great quilting on my work, or I will pay to have it done. After looking at the work of these gals (and guys) I am reconsidering my not wanting to spend the money, they turn a nice quilt into a work of art!!!

Scissor Queen

A hundred is actually pretty reasonable. I paid that much for custom quilting on a twin size quilt. I've seen longarmers that charge over 5 cents a square inch for heirloom work and that can really add up on a queen size quilt. (length X width = square inches X .05cents) For an average queen size quilt of 86X100 that would be $430.00 plus thread charges and possibly taxes and shipping if you have to send it.

joeyoz

I hate to tell you this, but $100 is cheap.