Kueser

I find figuring out what to do is the process that takes the longest, especially with a custom. You want it to look special. I agree, look at various sites and see what others of done that you feel you can accomplish, not something that is beyond your experience level that will cause more anxiety.  Audition those ideas on plexie of on a paper picture of the quilt. Once you "see" the finished concept, you'll be inspired to hit it.  Hang in there, if you've been ill, you may need more time to recover. Your customer will understand.
 

I quilted a baby clothes quilt with everything but the kitchen sink on it. The maker more or less appliqued whole items to the blocks. I did a simple meander around and on the items to tack them down, taking extra precautions when I came to the boxer shorts waist. I see no reason you can't use the upper part as long as you remember you will have to be careful when it comes to quilting and that may limit what you do. 

You get a more professional response to your questions here. I was surprised by the number of folks advocating using sheets for backing on FB. Plus no politics or alternative facts here. Only wish the more recent responses were on top and didn't have to wade through several years of responses. Some old ones are still helpful so don't want to dump the old.
 

I ended up taking off the Velcro after several years of fighting the mess. Works just as well.

I still find it amusing that folks think stitch in the ditch is an easy and cheap way to get their quilt quilted. 

I still find it amusing that folks think stitch in the ditch is an easy and cheap way to get their quilt quilted. 

I still find it amusing that folks think stitch in the ditch is an easy and cheap way to get their quilt quilted. 

Strap with a hunk of painters tape a small knitting needle on top with a cork on the end to hold the thread. Works great.

I don't use mine for quilting but do use it for UNquilting. LOL

Join a local guild but don't be surprised if you get the cold shoulder from the resident quilter in the group. Volunteer to help with their projects. Once they see your work, people will migrate to you. Don't go after the other quilters' clientele but wait for the new members who will find you are available when the others are backed up. Word of mouth gets you lots of repeat customers.

Join a local guild but don't be surprised if you get the cold shoulder from the resident quilter in the group. Volunteer to help with their projects. Once they see your work, people will migrate to you. Don't go after the other quilters' clientele but wait for the new members who will find you are available when the others are backed up. Word of mouth gets you lots of repeat customers.

I have a 2007 Millie which I added an after market LED lighting and upgraded to Bliss several years ago. Never regretted that move even with the added expense of old vs. new. My machine is old and had it's first spa treatment last year and is running great.  A couple of years ago added Intelliquilter computer. Love that addition also.

I am one of those who refuses to do Facebook (or rather Facebook do me). I have been reading the forum for the past 10 years and have learned so much from the folks sharing their experience and knowledge. I admit I have never posted a picture. Didn't take the time to learn how to do, so shame on me. The forum used to be a hopping place with lots of information. Now it seems to be just a used machine for sale site. So sad. 

How much you can charge depends on the area. We have lots of quilters doing their own and some for their friends, lots of work done under the table. In fact when I added the computer, I dropped my price on edge to edge because I didn't have to "do the work". A friend of mine is always talking about pricing with other longarmmers and I know she is talking at me about how cheap I am but I am trying to pay for the computer. A little bit is better than nothing.