seakitten Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Well, I had my first really unhappy customer. A new customer, from the other side of the Island, but I do quilt for a number of people she knows, & I would like to have more business from that area. She had a quilt she called "Amish Hearts"; so you have a pretty good idea what it looks like although I should have photographed it. Pieced hearts, fairly large, solid colors on black. I did not meet her in person, she had the quilt dropped off by her son. I asked her how who wanted it quilted, & she said something like "it's for my daughter, something floral." I quilted a beautiful floral, kind of like peonies, in black thread. to my mind, the minute you say "floral" you are taking it out of the Amish realm, but I thought the juxtaposition of angular & floral looked kind of cool & out-of-the-box; I liked it. She was very unhappy when she got the quilt back, because it was "not Amish enough," and "too tropical." (They were NOT tropical flowers.) I offered to do it over if she would remove the stitching, which she readily agreed to do. However, I'm afraid we are just not on the same wavelength. I don't know what would be "Amish enough" and not be extremely labor-intensive. I charged her a low-end price because it was a panto. I should say she is a very meticulous quilter, but does not really seem like a PITA. She did complement my workmanship, which I guess is why she wants me to do it the second time. Any quilting ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Conquest Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Could you ask her to sketch out what she means by an "Amish" pattern and send it to you? Or meet her in person and plan something together? Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Yes. Refund her money and walk away slowly.............. Well, actually, if you can get "on her wavelength" this relationship might be saved. It's good that she expressed her dislike to you about the quilt and not to all her friends. Just be sure you have everything documented as to price and design. Have her sign off on it. As for quilting, "Amish enough" means hand-quilting to me. See Libby's recent thread about old-time quilting and the limitations of trying do replicate that with a longarm. I will wish you good luck. (It was so nice to meet you in Portland!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Here is a good website to get a feel for Amish quilting: http://www.amishquilter.com/amish-quilts-cabin-c-84.html The Amish quilts I have seen are sparsely quilted, often using lines, cables and very simple florals -- think traditional handquilted style. Use only solid, cotton (or cotton look-alike) thread, preferably thicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 We have a splinter group of Amish here in MS who piece and quilt by machine. They are very progressive with their quilting. They charge an arm and a leg for their quilts which are very very well done. Good luck and post for us to see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 The responsibility is definitely on her as to what she wanted on the quilt as she had her son drop it off. It's super gracious of you to redo it. Here's an Amish heart quilt - not a flower in the bunch. http://www.amishquilter.com/amish-heart-rose-patchwork-wall-hanging-quilt-p-2492.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb2bie Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Be sure she is CLEAR ie: have her sign off :) on the price for what she wants. You don't get a custom or heirloom quilting job the second time for the price of the panto the first time around!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 The fact she complimented you on your workmanship and the fact she is willing for you to requilt this, sounds like you might be able to forge a relationship. She needs to give you an idea, either by picture or drawing, of what it is she wanting. Good luck and keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I would meet with her IN PERSON if at all possible! Take a drawing tablet and work with her! Have her give you ideas of what she wants! Best wishes!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 If you can't meet with her in person ask her to give you some examples of what she is looking for so that you can better quilt it for her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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