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No one has replied, so I will gingerly step in and give you my take on the problem. Adding a computer to your machine does not mean that you should raise your prices above the industry standard, especially for overall designs. The customer doesn't care how you get there or what you use---they are interested in the finished product and don't want to pay extra for computerized when someone else can do the same thing for less. I'm talking about pantos/overalls, not custom. Also, you have "niched" yourself. You have inadvertently sent a message to your customers that you are out of the panto/overall business by showing lots of custom quilting. Custom=$$$$ to everyone. Make some simple quilt tops and quilt them with overalls or a panto and show them everywhere. Remind them that you're still around and offering the less-expensive quilting. I think your customers perception of what you offer and your pricing has been muddled---that you are now too expensive. To get them back in the fold, use your favorite method to contact them and offer a blow-them-away deal on pantos and overalls "exclusively for you, my favorite customer". Any size quilt up to a Queen (you supply the limit for dimensions) with a choice of three pantos/computerized or freehand overall (not a big meander) for $100. This will price you at less than a cent-and-a-half, but will give your business a boost. They will dig out all the big UFOs and maybe get one done as a Christmas gift. Limit the number (like first 20 quilts) and limit the month---like November only or first two weeks in January. See if that will nudge them back to you. Good luck---it's disheartening when the customers you think are friends stop becoming customers.

No one has replied, so I will gingerly step in and give you my take on the problem. Adding a computer to your machine does not mean that you should raise your prices above the industry standard, especially for overall designs. The customer doesn't care how you get there or what you use---they are interested in the finished product and don't want to pay extra for computerized when someone else can do the same thing for less. I'm talking about pantos/overalls, not custom. Also, you have "niched" yourself. You have inadvertently sent a message to your customers that you are out of the panto/overall business by showing lots of custom quilting. Custom=$$$$ to everyone. Make some simple quilt tops and quilt them with overalls or a panto and show them everywhere. Remind them that you're still around and offering the less-expensive quilting. I think your customers perception of what you offer and your pricing has been muddled---that you are now too expensive. To get them back in the fold, use your favorite method to contact them and offer a blow-them-away deal on pantos and overalls "exclusively for you, my favorite customer". Any size quilt up to a Queen (you supply the limit for dimensions) with a choice of three pantos/computerized or freehand overall (not a big meander) for $100. This will price you at less than a cent-and-a-half, but will give your business a boost. They will dig out all the big UFOs and maybe get one done as a Christmas gift. Limit the number (like first 20 quilts) and limit the month---like November only or first two weeks in January. See if that will nudge them back to you. Good luck---it's disheartening when the customers you think are friends stop becoming customers.

No one has replied, so I will gingerly step in and give you my take on the problem. Adding a computer to your machine does not mean that you should raise your prices above the industry standard, especially for overall designs. The customer doesn't care how you get there or what you use---they are interested in the finished product and don't want to pay extra for computerized when someone else can do the same thing for less. I'm talking about pantos/overalls, not custom. Also, you have "niched" yourself. You have inadvertently sent a message to your customers that you are out of the panto/overall business by showing lots of custom quilting. Custom=$$$$ to everyone. Make some simple quilt tops and quilt them with overalls or a panto and show them everywhere. Remind them that you're still around and offering the less-expensive quilting. I think your customers perception of what you offer and your pricing has been muddled---that you are now too expensive. To get them back in the fold, use your favorite method to contact them and offer a blow-them-away deal on pantos and overalls "exclusively for you, my favorite customer". Any size quilt up to a Queen (you supply the limit for dimensions) with a choice of three pantos/computerized or freehand overall (not a big meander) for $100. This will price you at less than a cent-and-a-half, but will give your business a boost. They will dig out all the big UFOs and maybe get one done as a Christmas gift. Limit the number (like first 20 quilts) and limit the month---like November only or first two weeks in January. See if that will nudge them back to you. Good luck---it's disheartening when the customers you think are friends stop becoming customers.

No one has replied, so I will gingerly step in and give you my take on the problem. Adding a computer to your machine does not mean that you should raise your prices above the industry standard, especially for overall designs. The customer doesn't care how you get there or what you use---they are interested in the finished product and don't want to pay extra for computerized when someone else can do the same thing for less. I'm talking about pantos/overalls, not custom. Also, you have "niched" yourself. You have inadvertently sent a message to your customers that you are out of the panto/overall business by showing lots of custom quilting. Custom=$$$$ to everyone. Make some simple quilt tops and quilt them with overalls or a panto and show them everywhere. Remind them that you're still around and offering the less-expensive quilting. I think your customers perception of what you offer and your pricing has been muddled---that you are now too expensive. To get them back in the fold, use your favorite method to contact them and offer a blow-them-away deal on pantos and overalls "exclusively for you, my favorite customer". Any size quilt up to a Queen (you supply the limit for dimensions) with a choice of three pantos/computerized or freehand overall (not a big meander) for $100. This will price you at less than a cent-and-a-half, but will give your business a boost. They will dig out all the big UFOs and maybe get one done as a Christmas gift. Limit the number (like first 20 quilts) and limit the month---like November only or first two weeks in January. See if that will nudge them back to you. Good luck---it's disheartening when the customers you think are friends stop becoming customers.

I'll jump in here with some info. It spans and sits on the rollers so one made for a Millie won't fit a Lenny. The span between the rollers is different and since it snaps on the leveler roller for stability, the roller diameter must be the same. If it has the wheel, you can make many sizes of concentric circles from the front. If it doesn't have the wheel, it's a holder for pattern boards (blocks only) and allows you to trace the boards from the front. The arm attaches to the head without drilling any new holes. If she doesn't have the original instructions, we can send them to the new owner.

I sold all my King Tut after struggling for a long time to get it to behave. I sold it all to a friend with a Gammill and it works great for her. 
I have such a big inventory of So Fine and BottomLine that I'm not ready to build up another line, though I do like Glide. My style for custom is to not overwhelm the piecing so thicker and "showy" thread isn't chosen very often.
I am building up my stock of Invisafil for blenders--works great for fillers and micro-stitching, and looks good.

I sold all my King Tut after struggling for a long time to get it to behave. I sold it all to a friend with a Gammill and it works great for her. 
I have such a big inventory of So Fine and BottomLine that I'm not ready to build up another line, though I do like Glide. My style for custom is to not overwhelm the piecing so thicker and "showy" thread isn't chosen very often.
I am building up my stock of Invisafil for blenders--works great for fillers and micro-stitching, and looks good.

I started out the same--slow to build and most of my business (still) comes from my guild and word-of-mouth. Expect that you will double your business every year until you reach the level you are comfortable with. And a good piece of advice is to try to determine what your max number of quilts per month might be. Many longarmers find they overextend themselves, so schedule the quilts and you can give your customers an idea of when their quilt will be returned.
Your talent and good work will take you far. Congrats, Tami!

I would discount anything your customer "heard" since if this was a regular problem it would be all over every quilting blog, website, and quilter's Facebook. The quilting world is huge, but the communication is instant and widespread because of the internet.
 
I have several small pieces with wool batting, but they are seldom washed and done carefully when they are.
 
I've never heard of it nor have I had any customer issues with wool batting. As far as the wool coming through the stitching holes after washing, I imagine that I'd be more concerned about felting rather than bearding when a quilt with wool gets frequent washing.
Just my two cents and worth about that much! 

I would discount anything your customer "heard" since if this was a regular problem it would be all over every quilting blog, website, and quilter's Facebook. The quilting world is huge, but the communication is instant and widespread because of the internet.
 
I have several small pieces with wool batting, but they are seldom washed and done carefully when they are.
 
I've never heard of it nor have I had any customer issues with wool batting. As far as the wool coming through the stitching holes after washing, I imagine that I'd be more concerned about felting rather than bearding when a quilt with wool gets frequent washing.
Just my two cents and worth about that much! 

Very effective quilting designs. The quilt is beautiful!

Read the care and shrinkage information on the package of batting. That 80/20 blend will shrink because it's mostly cotton. Two percent shrinkage listed on the package will result in a two-inch shrinkage in a 100" square batting. If the fabrics have been pre-washed, opt for a 100% poly batting, which will have easy-care instructions, great drape, and stay soft after many washes. You can also follow instructions on batting packages for how to pre-shrink the batting if you want to use a blend. Take care with it and make sure you start with a large-enough piece of batting to take the shrinkage into account.
And of course, include laundering instructions on the label so there's no question about care.
 
 
 
I try to educate my customers about the good uses of poly batting, including the fact that when laundered and spun in the machine, the poly batting is almost completely dry when it goes into the dryer. That means that the dryer is only working long enough to dry the fabric and not the sopping wet cotton batt trapped inside. That cuts down a huge amount of wear on the fabric caused by heat and tumbling until the whole thing is dry. This is great for utility quilts and floor quilts that need a lot of laundering, since it really extends the life of the quilt.

Read the care and shrinkage information on the package of batting. That 80/20 blend will shrink because it's mostly cotton. Two percent shrinkage listed on the package will result in a two-inch shrinkage in a 100" square batting. If the fabrics have been pre-washed, opt for a 100% poly batting, which will have easy-care instructions, great drape, and stay soft after many washes. You can also follow instructions on batting packages for how to pre-shrink the batting if you want to use a blend. Take care with it and make sure you start with a large-enough piece of batting to take the shrinkage into account.
And of course, include laundering instructions on the label so there's no question about care.
 
 
 
I try to educate my customers about the good uses of poly batting, including the fact that when laundered and spun in the machine, the poly batting is almost completely dry when it goes into the dryer. That means that the dryer is only working long enough to dry the fabric and not the sopping wet cotton batt trapped inside. That cuts down a huge amount of wear on the fabric caused by heat and tumbling until the whole thing is dry. This is great for utility quilts and floor quilts that need a lot of laundering, since it really extends the life of the quilt.

Quilt them!  
Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display.
I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt.
Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's.
But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors! 

Quilt them!  
Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display.
I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt.
Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's.
But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors! 

Quilt them!  
Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display.
I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt.
Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's.
But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors! 

I agree with Linda. Its not a quilt until its quilted. On your label, say who started the quilt, who it was passed down to, and who completed the quilting. Its then a generational quilt that can be kept in your family. Personally, I think the value of the quilt is in its having stayed in the family, as opposed to being found in an estate sale. You can have a quilt appraised, and a "value" can be assigned to it, but its not really that valuable unless somebody will pay you that much for it. Unless you want to sell it, I wouldn't worry about what somebody else thinks about how it was quilted. No "value" can be placed on sentiment, which is the real jewel here. Quilt it on your machine when you are ready, I'd say.

Quilt them!  
Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display.
I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt.
Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's.
But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors! 

Quilt them!  
Since they are family heirlooms, if quilted they'll be used and displayed. As unquilted tops they'll be stored and be passed down and maybe not appreciated. Much more "valuable" quilted and on display.
I've quilted vintage tops on the longarm that dated to the 1920's without any problems besides an occasional seam repair. I even quilted a top that had some hand-quilting started and we decided to leave the hand-stitching alone since it was part of the legacy of the quilt.
Since vintage quilts are dated from the "youngest" element (whether it's the newest piece of fabric in a finished quilt or the date the actual quilting stitches were finished) that dating affects the value if the quilts are sold. A quilt finished in its era is more valuable (retail) than one machine quilted today but pieced in the 30's.
But your quilts are "family" and won't be sold--so finish them, wrap them around you and enjoy the hugs from your ancestors!