LadyLake Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I am researching pricing for computer-assisted quilting services as compared to hand-guided, and don't seem to be picking up any difference. I haven't found separate charges or different charges. Is anyone aware of a difference (or not)? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 I think it is apples and oranges! The only difference I have seen is some with CG systems start at 2 cents for overalls. I have looked at it this way--there is much more cash outlay at the front end (beginning) with a CG system. First the huge cost of the system itself. Then the cost of designs. The purchased one cost cash and your own designs cost time (which as we all know, equals money!!) Once you have built your library of designs, the money coming in will eventually offset that initial cost. So at the back end, the more you use the system and the more times you use the same designs, the more money you can make. That said, if you go CG you probably should plan to be in it for the long run and get good at it--with an eye for appropriate designs for the quilt, a drafter's brain for placement of designs, and the ability to troubleshoot your own machine and computer if there are problems. That last sentence is true as well for anyone who hand-guides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smorris Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Hi Joan I charge the same whether its hand-guided or computerised. I suppose the ruling factor is what the market in your area will stand. If there are others in your area charging more for say, edge to edge done on a computer then got for it. Sue in Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted January 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Thank you for your perspectives, Linda and Sue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Joan, I charge the same. You still have to load the quilt, plan your designs, check tension, etc. Every now and then I give my regular customers a discount on E2E for incentive. I love my IQ and they now make it for Lenni's. If they only could make an upgrade for it to load the quilt, I would be in heaven, LOL:cool::cool::cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted January 4, 2010 Report Share Posted January 4, 2010 Charge the same.......... Time wise - you will not save with the CG - and sometimes take longer. The benefit of course it the very accurate stitching. I find in some situations, the time for set-up takes longer - ie and E2E within a border - when you do free motion, your eyes are your guide you control your 'fudge quilting' at the end of a row whereas with the CG system, you will have to really watch to end the row or use 'clipping' and that entails an additional tie/bury of threads. It is all an exchange. Plus as Connie pointed out - all the basic activities are still a part of your quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted January 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 Thank you for your information, Connie and Meg, I appreciate it. My impression was that you saved time with computerized, but it sounds more like it produces a different result and you charge accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted January 5, 2010 Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 Where you might save some time is during quilting that does not have to be 'babysat' - such as an E2E that you can run off the edge. While the computer is handling your quilting, you can work on other things. You do want to remain close for the unexpected which you will be able to hear. You will also save time because since you do not have to physically mark your quilts with some sort of marker (chalk or blue marker, etc), you do not have marks to clean off. You instead mark using your machine/computer & that goes a bit quicker than marking with the chalk or blue marker. Overall, it is the exchange of time/outcome of the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VictoriaG Posted January 5, 2010 Report Share Posted January 5, 2010 Joan, Only look at it from the customer perspective, consider this example. As a customer you want something delivered across country. As the customer do you care if it was delivered via a manual transmission truck, or an automatic? The customer does not care about that. They do care about damage to their items, and quick delivery time. The owner of a quilt top wants quality work in a timely manner. They do not care if the longarmer is working mornings or afternoons, is left handed or right handed, HAS A COMPURTERIZED MACHINE OR NOT. Not everything that we care about as a longarmer is value added to the customer. So until a computerized longarmer brings more value to the customer, the customer is not going to pay more. Victoria G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Posted January 12, 2010 Report Share Posted January 12, 2010 Hi Joan, I charge the same, I just end up doing a lot more heirloom or over the top custom with the computerized system, so I end up charging more per quilt because I am doing a higher price per square inch type of quilting, not because of the actual "technique/equipment" used to get it done Talk to you soon, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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