Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

[doubleup]

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO upset right now, it's taking everything I have in me not to just ditch my quilt, Christmas and everything else until Midnight and 1 second, January 1, 2011!!!!!

I was scheduled to go today at noon to put the quilt top I made for my niece on the Long Arm and get it finished so I would still have time to do the binding before we do Christmas with my family New Year's weekend. Well, I called this morning to make sure that I could bring my own backing and batting and not have to buy it there. She proceeds to ask me what time my appointment is and of course, I tell her. Well, she said, no your appointment was yesterday and we have no room for you to do your quilt and we're closing at noon on Wednesday to do our own Christmas shopping and won't reopen until January 4th. Can you believe it!!!!! Not only would I have never made an appointment on a Monday, but THEY ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Monday's are way too hectic for me and I would have never done that.

Well, the only other quilt shop in town that has a long arm is double the price of the other place and I'm already working on a limited budget, so now what do I do!!! This is my first large quilt, although it's just a throw size and I've never quilted something myself this big.

I do have a new sewing machine that is meant for quilting with all the attachments, etc, but what do ya'll think????? Should I just pay double and do it on the long arm or should I just try it myself on my home machine. Here is the quilt top, let me know what ya'll think..... I'm counting on the expertise of ya'll!!!!



Thank you for letting me vent! I've felt so overwhelmed by life in general and I know the Lord is beginning to answer my prayers, since I finally decided I couldn't do everything myself and let Him take over, imagine that!!!

Love ya'll tons - you are the best quilting forum on the planet!!!

Michele

[Sandy Navas]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

I am not a quilting expert - in fact, I would hardly waste my breath to call myself a quilter - but if I were in your shoes I'd definitely pack the batting and backing with my quilt top and present it to the receiving giftee with a note saying due to circumstances beyond your control she would have to wait a bit for the finished project.

[doubleup]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

I had thought about that, but this is for my 11 year old niece and it's the only thing besides 1 small little book we are giving her and she lives in another state. If it were for an adult, I'd have no hesitation to do that, but for a kid, I just don't think I can??? I'm so torn!!!!!!!!!!!!

[quiltingtrish]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

Have you ever machine quilted on your home machine? If not, I would layer a small quilt together - ok - not a quilt - just 2 pieces of fabric with batting in between and practice with a colored thread that you will use on the quilt and practice, practice, practice a little before you put your quilt on it. Use a color of fabric that the thread will show up on and be sure to check the back to make sure that you aren't getting loops and stuff where it shouldn't be. This could be tension problems if your stitches aren't looking right. I do this with every project I work on, because depending on the machine and what kind of thread it likes - it will either work or it won't.
I would go for it and try it myself at home before I spent double what you planned on spending.
Then when you do the real quilt, do it in small sections so you aren't overwhelmed. They say to concentrate on one area at a time.
Good luck. Wish I could help ya more.

Hugs,

[janluna]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

Oh you poor kid. I wouldn't know what to do either. Maybe they had someone new working who put the wrong date on the card. But you are in the right if they are closed on Monday's. Why would you even make the date if they are closed. I guess I'd do what Trish said and then if it doesn't work, what about tying it with heavy thread or yarn?Hugs, Jan L

[craftyladysam]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

I like Jan's idea the best or even hand quilt it. It will be nice either way. You did a wonderful job on the top and I see no reason why you can't finish it yourself. Please let us know what you decide to do and let us see it when you finish if you can. We will be waiting to hear from you again.

[jrchapman]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

You poor thing, what an awful situation to be in this close to Christmas. If I were you I would quilt it at home. If you just do some plain straight line quilting it should be quick and easy to do.

I think that you should stitch either side of the seam lines that separate the flower blocks and then stitch in the ditch around both sides of the thin border. That should be enough to hold everything together and then, if you have time, you could hand quilt around the flowers with some bright coloured embroidery floss to really make it pop.

I'm sure she'll love it whatever you end up doing. It's so cute!

[KarenB]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

OK you can do this! You CAN stitch in the ditch around the borders and maybe between the blocks. For between the blocks you might even see what special stiches your new machine has and use that down the seams. I would buy bright buttons and sew them in the middle of each flower. I think that would be a sweet touch anyways! Just believe in yourself. Again, YOU CAN DO THIS!

Karen

[ginampls]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

see here is the thing.... they will no longer have your business. and i now know what scummbuckets they are. i will not have them as my buisness agree ment... i say get it in to the other shop... or go get the newest bestest... 11 girl present... then have it stitched by you... or othersss. and give girt for next year. or her birthday... or just pin and present..it as is...

[debinmalaga]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

Thinking of you and hoping it all works out, Michele!

Deb

[shell.scraps]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

I'm so sorry you are having a bad time with your local longarmer. That sucks. You are surely able to do stitching in the ditch or just straight line to get it quilted on your own. It should only take you a few hours to do it that way. It won't be anything fancy but you will have done it and it will be done on time!! I hope your niece loves it......hugs...

[Angie from Indiana]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

Why do we let ourselves become so stressed during the Christmas season? I can tell you as a Christian, that the devil is sitting back laughing at you! Don't let him win. If you have your heart set on longarm quilting explain what happened to your niece, show her the top, have it quilted, and send it to her when it is finished. I like the idea of stitching in the ditch and adding buttons to the flowers, but it would be another job added to your already full schedule. Make a decision, have a cup of coffee, and remember the true reason for the season Praying for you today

[Blondie]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

Hi Michele
You have probably already decided on what to do. I would do either Jan's or JR's suggestion. It is just a matter of time for you. Stitch in the ditch is easy to accomplish and then the binding is a breeze. If you don't have time to do all the stitch in a ditch, I would do it on key blocks and then hand tie the rest. That way the blocks are secure.

As with our dear Gina, I would let them know that they have lost business. I am so sorry that this unfortunate experience has taken place. Obviously, not only do they not need business, they have very unscrupulous habits. It may be a blessing for you that they didn't take it on. They may have done a shoddy job - the amount of time and love you put in this lovely quilt deserves better.

Much luck on a Merry Christmas anyway.

[rougealar]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

I'm so sorry you are having a bad time with your local longarmer. That sucks. You are surely able to do stitching in the ditch or just straight line to get it quilted on your own. It should only take you a few hours to do it that way. It won't be anything fancy but you will have done it and it will be done on time!! I hope your niece loves it......hugs...

I agree, it shouldn't take too long and use a walking foot it you have one Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

[Pinky]

Re: Can I vent please????????????????????????????????????????

That's a beautiful quilt! She will love it!! What did you decide to do? That is terrible about that shop. You should let everyone know the name of the place so that people are aware of it! That's what I would do!
Pinky