chickenscratch Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 You all know that I have really been working hard to build my customer base, including taking some less that perfect tops and doing the best I can with them. A new customer contacted me and wanted quilting done. Nothing fancy- just a groovy board. I was all set to start on it, but I ran into several problems. The top was terribly out of square and had a parachute in the middle. The backing was 4 inches too narrow. There is simply nothing I can do with it. Here is the letter I sent by email today. Dear , I find that I will be unable to quilt your top at this time. As a longarm quilter, one of the things I must do before loading a quilt on the frame is insure that it is square- both the backing and the quilt top. This is necessary to maintain a straight and evenly spaced pattern, and to prevent taking tucks or pleats in the quilt top during the quilting process. Unfortunately, your quilt top has some discrepancies in width and length. There are a number of reasons this could occur, and if you need advice on remedying the situation I can help. The top narrow width of the quilt is 103.5 inches. The other narrow end is 102 inches. Across the center, the quilt is 108.5 inches. That leaves a difference of 5 inches. There is no way to quilt that flat and maintain the integrity of the quilt top. You will end up with a big "cup" in the middle that will have to be eased in by taking tucks or moving fabric around. In a quilt with so many straight lines and 45 degree angles, that would mess up the look your beautiful piecing pattern that you put so much hard work into. The lengths on the long side have a similar issue. The most common reason this occurs is because people cut the outer sashing strips to a certain length (usually what the pattern says) and then pull that long straight piece tight as they attach it to the pieced quilt top. The easiest way to fix it would be to create new outer sashing strips that are closer to the actual measurement of the pieced section. By removing your outer borders and placing your quilt on a hard flat surface, you can see if it is truly flat and square. then cut the outer strips to fit. I will be returning your quilt top, backing, and batting in the original box it arrived in. I will mail your check back in a separate envelope. If you are able to get the sashing strips adjusted so the quilt is square and flat, I will happily quilt it for you. It is really stunning and I can tell you put a lot of hard work into creating it. Teresa Taylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherylannie Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 You wrote that so beautifully! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted January 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Thank you cherylannie I was trying to address the problem without causing hard feelings. I hope I succeeded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMALKB Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Very nice letter........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted January 20, 2016 Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Well worded! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlnewell Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Yes Teresa I think you your letter was very well written. See, it doesn't hurt so bad to say no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb34285 Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Great job Teresa, You complemented them on their stunning quilt ( very tactful ) while not taking the unrealistic responsibility of quilting it. Well said!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat C Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Doesn't it feel good to not have to worry about how to quilt that quilt without all of those headaches? Your letter is very professional. It's informational and offers help. Very well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marti10245 Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 That was worded very nicely . I wouldn't be surprised to hear that she corrects her quilt and then sends it back to you. I admire you for advising her how to fix her quilt. I find it very hard to quilt quilts that aren't square. I always square mine up before I quilt them. But these are my own quilts not a customers. Thank you for sharing your letter with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Very well stated. You wrote a very non-offensive letter. Did you address the narrow backing at all? You might want be sure that area gets addressed before she sends it back to you or someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Very well written! Good for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted January 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 Update: After receiving my email, he sent a message back and asked if I could fix it. I explained that it would be $15/hour to take it apart, square it up, and add new borders. I estimated about $100 worth of work, but explained that I will keep meticulous records. He wants me to repair it for him. He also ordered four yards of 120" backing that is being delivered to my house. It is really a pretty quilt. I will post pictures when it is finished (which might be a month or so) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 Great interaction from both of you. You now have another customer and he has the chance to be a better quilter. You will probably get all his quilting jobs. Congratulations on the successful bargaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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