Okay this might be the wrong place I am having a little hard time navigating through the forum,anywho my ??? is I am making this quilt and it is larger than what I can handle on my machice with the RA & Fibro, I am leaning toward sending it out to be professionally quilted, if anyone have had this done what are the requirements that are necessary, I don't want to hear too many bad things about what is not correct just have the quilt quilted, and if this is the case then I will struggle and do it myself, I said that I was not going to do anything over a full however my Aunt wants a king and even there I went to a queen/king size, it is still a little large for me, so any help in giving me a heads up on what I should be extra careful on then I would appreciate it much.

Hi Michelle, I am about to send my first top out to be quilted too so I have the exact same questions. I am fortunate to have a local show coming up next weekend so at least I can see their work before I commit. But I have the same requirement questions. I have seen on sites that really strict guidlines and then some that have none at all.

I think the more important question is is the quilter recommended by others. Ask at your LQS who they would recommend. Hopefully you will get at least a couple of names. Then you need to speak directly to them to see who you are most comfortable with.

I suspect there won't be a great deal of difference in pricing, they will be fairly competetive. But ask how they determine price, strictly by size, by hours invested, by thread consummed, by style of stitching. A pattern with more stops and starts will likely be more expensive than continous line because there is more hand work when it comes off the machine.

Some quilters are quite particular about the batting they will use. Some will supply the batting themselves and factor in the cost, some will ask you to supply it. Some will even sew the binding on when it comes off the machine. I think they feel it stabilzes their work so nothing comes undone before it is finished.

You might to also find out things like if they have pets. If the quilt is going to someone with allergies or asthma you may not want it exposed to pet dander.

Can't think of anything else at the moment. Hope this helps.

Sure does, thanks so very much, I at least have an idea of some of the things that I would need to know, the closest QS is a pretty good ways from me so a phone call hopefully will be a big help, can't just run all over the city with gas prices that would consume up the cost of the quilting and more fabric that is always necessary.

Michelle,

I am on the SW side and have found these ladies:

The Threaded Needle (custom quilting services) in Meadows Place (basically SW Houston Beltway 8 and 59). They were recommended to me but I have never used them.
Email is MegsQuilting@aol.com

There is a quilt shop on 359 in Sugar Land also that has a lady who quilts.

I don't think the other SL store has any in the store but they could probably also recommend one. Their website is www.quiltersemporium.com

rr

Great, thanks for the information and having a quilter friend so close, I will be checking it out.