Choose Ways to $ave Money $$
Computerized machine quilting is possible for folks on a tight budget and for charity quilts. Here are some ideas that may work for you.
If your quilt has one or more borders, consider an edge to edge (e2e) pattern for the center or main portion of the quilt only. You can finish the borders at home on your domestic machine and save money. The backing and batting will be in place, just pin it and start sewing.
Buy your batting and backing fabric from us and save 20%. We have 100% cotton backing fabric 108 inches wide starting at $11.99 per yard and 60 inch Prime Plus Broadcloth starting at $8.99 per yard. Purchase with batting and that makes the 108 inch fabric $9.59 per yard and the 60 inch broadcloth $7.20 per yard. Hobbs batting from $11.99 per yard bundled with backing fabric is $9.59 per yard with your discount. A Queen size quilt requires 2 ½ yards of batting so the total cost for Hobbs is $23.97 and backs low as $18. Light weight 80/20 cotton-poly batting (summer weight) is 96 inches wide and runs $9.99 per yard and with bundle discount you save $2 per yard or $19.98 for a queen size quilt.
Want to avoid the $50 minimum for small quilts? There are several ways to do this. (1) Bring 2 small quilt tops that will use the same backing fabric and batting. (2) You and a friend each bring a small top that use the same backing and batting and both of you will avoid the minimum charge. (3) Bring your small quilt top and be willing to wait until another customer brings in a small one. Ask me to show you why this works when you come in.
Bring a letter from a recognized 501.c.3 charity and I will quilt your charity quilt for free. This offer is limited to the first 2 quilts per month that come in the door ready to go with a design from group 1. See “Preparing your Quilt Top” for my definition of “ready to go.” Backing and batting from you or buy at 10% discount from us.
The following “ideas” will NOT save you money and are not acceptable. Here are the don’ts:
Don’t bring your own thread. Longarm machines are somewhat picky when it comes to thread and needles so keep your thread at home. The price of quality thread is included in the base price.
Don’t ask me to piece your backing or batting. There is an extra charge for my time so do that at home.
Don’t ask for a design by name that is not already in my book unless you are willing to pay for the design. Usually they run $15-$25 for e2e and $25 and up for block/corners/sashing designs. The designers set the prices for these designs and they must be purchased and downloaded into the machine computer.
Don’t ask for “stitch in the ditch“ in lieu of an e2e design. That’s custom, tedious work and does not save money as it is billed by the hour.