Love it.
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Why Does My Long Arm Quilter Charge So Much?
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Wow. That article is an eye opener! I now know why I only quilt for myself. I have only an entry level mid-arm machine but it stitches well and if I want to spend the time on one of my quilts it is fine. The machine has paid for itself already with the number of tops I have done. I totally agree with the author that most longarmers definitely undervalue their work. I really had not thought a lot about the overhead etc that is incurred when running it as a business.
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Cindy,
It is not just long arm quilters who devalue their work, it is pretty much everyone who makes anything crafty, from a simple placemat to beautiful furniture. It is sad that something that has no real purpose but to beautify our surroundings is more likely to be highly valued than something which is both beautiful, well crafted … and useful. I value both, but the useful items which are beautifully made add more to my life than the art on the wall.
Judy B
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Wonderful article. I appreciate the time, cost and most importantly the creativity it takes to do custom quilting. I have always thought that the quilting is what makes a quilt come to life and marvel at those who can look at the quilt top and quilt it to bring out it’s beauty. Even though I may only have one quilt per year custom quilted it is well worth the cost.
Love this quilt, it’s amazing! I love 99% of your designs (just being honest) but this one is spectacular!
Rina
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Rina,
You can be as honest as you like, anytime! Thank you.
I was pleased to read that SID was hard to do … and even harder to do really well … and when really well done it is hidden in the ditch. By hand or machine I prefer to see the quilting lines, or the shadows in the ditch they create. Stitches in the ditch just make the seam lines disappear.
The other point about devaluing work is that people who do beautiful quilt tops who then will only pay their long armer for an all over design. If they spend the time,effort and money to make a beautiful top they can spend more time and effort to quilt it themselves, or pay the long armer to do a worthy custom job.
Judy B
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Beautiful design, Judy! I quilt my own quilts on my domestic machine, but I agree with the others…a good long armer is worth gold!
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Laura,
I do my own quilting, mostly by hand, because I can’t afford to pay the long armers what they are worth, or even what the cheaper ones charge. I would also be their worst customer, because I would tell them exactly where to quilt! I think that would be the way to make an enemy!
Judy B
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I love the quilt, especially the outer border. Even tho’ it is my least favourite method. That article about Long Arm quilting is a real eye opener, even if it is American based. The same would apply here. I have had 2 quilts professionally quilted and custom quilted at that, but I did pay a LOT of money for them. I was working at the time and I must admit she did a very good job.
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Marie,
I would hate to be a working longarm quilter … having to do all overs … or just stitching in all the ditches … on some quilts would make me cry! Surely quilt top makers can do that sort of stuff themselves, and save up for great custom work on their best quilts.
Judy B
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