Tipping your Long Arm Quilter
#1
Tipping your Long Arm Quilter
I am fairly new to quilting, started with baby quilts and now making twin or full size. As these are too big to do on my home machine, I started using a long arm quilting service. I have found a wonderful lady who does LAQ out of her home and she does excellent work. I do my own binding to save money, but I think she is working incredibly below the average market price. I don't have a good feel for what I should be paying, but most places I have checked out online won't touch a quilt of any size for less than $50 and then you pay extra for the batting and thread, by the square inch, etc. She has charged me $20 to $30 for the smaller quilts and has never charged me over $36 even for a full sized quilt. I am not asking for special stitching, just meandering stitch or simple all over machine patterns. She charges nothing extra for the batting or thread. I tactfully mentioned that she had great prices and she said well it only took her a couple of hours to do one and shrugged it off. I actually feel guilty that she is making so little profit for her work. Would it be inappropriate to tip her for a job well done? It is common to do so?
#5
40.00 is what I have paid for twin size quilts...that is what I feel was fair...and is what is being charged in my area. I did not tip. I now do my own quilts on my 7700...so glad I invested in that sewing machine. It has paid for its self.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: washington
Posts: 1,424
I took a quilt to a local LA lady. She charged a penny a square inch. My double bed sized ones (at least it fits over my double bed witha little overhang) cost me $90.00 She charges for thread. I supplied the batting and back. She does a really lovely job. This of course was for a very simply meander, as I dislike heavy quilting. I know she charges more for fancier quilting. She is popular in the area and also teaches classes at local fabric store. Would love to use her more, but I just cannot afford it. I mostly now just either tie or hand quilt. Sometimes I use the ladies at the senior center. They do just a wavy line quilting and are quite a bit cheaper. Not fancy, but functional. smile.
#10
The price here is $60. for a twin, $70 for a double. That includes poly batting and binding the quilt. The quilt shop deducts $15.00 if someone does their own binding regardless of the size of the quilt, so $45.00 for twin and $55. for a double. You really are getting a good bargain. If she doesn't want more $$, then perhaps take your own batting to her.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mjpEncinitas
Links and Resources
26
11-28-2019 06:48 AM
thseabreze
Main
14
06-27-2017 05:23 AM