Longarm Guide
Questions to Ask a Longarm Quilter Before Hiring
Pricing, turnaround, insurance, batting — what's worth confirming before you ship your quilt to anyone.
“How long have you been longarm quilting professionally?”
Experience isn't everything, but a quilter who's finished thousands of tops has seen more of what can go wrong (and how to avoid it) than someone a few months in.
“What's your current turnaround time?”
This varies enormously — some quilters finish in a week, others quote 2-3 months during busy seasons (fall and pre-holiday are typically the slowest). Get a real estimate, not just "pretty quick."
“How do you price — per square inch, flat rate, or by pattern complexity?”
Per-square-inch is most common, but minimums, rush fees, and pattern-tier pricing all vary. Ask for a full quote in writing before you ship anything.
“Do you supply batting, or do I need to send my own?”
Most longarmers stock common batting types and will quilt with yours if you have a strong preference — confirm which applies and whether batting is priced separately.
“What thread do you use, and can I choose the color?”
Some quilters have a large thread stock and let you pick a color family; others use one or two standard colors. If color matters to you, ask before you ship.
“Are you insured, and what happens if my quilt is damaged?”
A professional operation should carry insurance on work in progress. Ask directly what their policy is if a top is damaged or lost — before you need the answer, not after.
“Can you show me examples of edge-to-edge and custom work?”
Photos of finished quilts (their own, not stock images) tell you more about a quilter's actual style and quality than any price list.
“Do you accept mail-in tops, or is it local drop-off only?”
Confirmed early — some businesses are strictly local, some are mail-in only, and many do both. No point falling in love with a quilter who can't actually take your quilt.
“What's your policy if I need to cancel or the top doesn't arrive as described?”
Covers you if measurements were off, the top wasn't square, or your plans change after shipping — good to know upfront rather than mid-project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I ask a longarm quilter before hiring them?+
At minimum: their experience level, current turnaround time, pricing structure, whether they supply batting, thread color options, insurance/damage policy, and whether they accept mail-in tops. Asking for photos of finished work is one of the best ways to judge quality and style before committing.
How do I know if a longarm quilter is good?+
Look at photos of quilts they've actually finished (not stock photography), ask how long they've been quilting professionally, and check reviews or guild/directory listings if available. A quilter who answers pricing and turnaround questions clearly and specifically is generally a good sign.
Is it normal to pay a deposit for longarm quilting?+
Some longarm quilters ask for a deposit on custom work, especially for large or time-intensive projects — it's common but not universal. Ask about their specific payment terms (deposit, due on completion, etc.) before shipping your quilt.