Which photo set looks right to you?
Despite an email conversation before I mailed the tops, completed paperwork in the box I sent and the simple fact that the backing for Watercolor Spring is from the same fabric line (Morning Mist by Hoffman) as the majority of the quilt top the backings got mixed up.
It's been a few weeks now and I wish I could say I was over this, but I can't. These quilts have been out of the box 3 times... the day they came, on Easter when I showed them to my Mom and today to take these pictures.
I'm not posting this to beat up on my LAQ. She made a mistake. Not one that I can understand, but still a mistake. Unfortunately, her reaction to this has made it worse. I did negotiate a refund but it was very uncomfortable and I am left feeling like I'm in the wrong for being too "picky".
I'm posting this for two reasons. I am usually good at trusting my instincts. She and I had some communication issues with the last quilts I sent in November. Things were totally different since I had last used her before my 3 year quilting hiatus. I thought maybe it was just a one time thing or a year end crush on her part so I wanted to give her another chance.
I asked more questions up front about her workload and her experience with string quilts and how I wanted a very light batting with the flannel. Then I heard nothing as her "couple of weeks" came and went and had to email to check on status. A curt reply that I'm in line and she is busy didn't tell me anything new. I came SO close to asking her to send them back unquilted.
I'm just as sad about this today as I was the day I got them. But I've got to make a decision and move forward. The thought of ripping out 2 lap quilts is overwhelming... but I'm not loving having a flannel backing on a spring top. And, Shabby Strings is so bulky because she used regular batting that it feels more like a comforter than a cuddle quilt. Neither backing looks right on either quilt.
Trust your instincts is Lesson #1. Lesson #2 is open for discussion. Are you "picky" about your backings? Am I crazy for wanting to rip the quilting out? What would you do?
I can see why your upset. The "correct" combination is so much better than what you ended up with. I would want to take the backs off. Not sure that I would given how much work is involved but I certainly would want to. I'm interested to know what you decide.
ReplyDeleteI would leave them as is. The backing mix-up will only be noticable if you are viewing both of the quilts together. You will probably be the only one to notice it. The quilting looks lovely on both of them. My children will always pick the quilts with the flannel back even if it is spring time. They just prefer how they feel.
ReplyDeleteOk, the mix up is obvious. The point being it is not how you envisioned the outcome.
ReplyDeleteAm I picky about the backs.....yes, if the quilt is going to be a gift to someone. If it is for me, I have been known to put most anything on the back and to mix it up a lot.
I get the string quilt is driving you crazy....because they are heavy to start with from all the seams. The LAQ didn't follow your instructions. So no, you are not being picky and should not be guilty. I would learn a lot from this lesson. Trust my instincts, and find another quilting source or learn fmq to conquer this.
Would I rip it out? No, I wouldn't .....all that un-sewing will stretch the tops and cause endless frustration.....trust me this is from experience.
What a horrible situation. I think that your LAQ person could have done more for you. A refund is a start, but as a good business person she should have apologized and recognized the error, not accusing you of being 'too picky'. Especially if the batting and other issues were discussed before hand. At the least, don't go back to her! And if you can, perhaps write a review or share your opinion of the experience.
ReplyDeleteAs for what to do about them, that's really hard. I am assuming they are for you to keep since you spent the time and money to send them for professional quilting. If you're not going to use them as they are, and always be unhappy when you look at them, perhaps taking out the quilting is a start... Tough decisions either way.
Oh what a shame...such disappointment when you had something so specific in mind. I have to agree with Teri and Debbie though that leaving them as is is probably the right option. I would be worried of distorting the tops. Do let us know what you decide. (hugs)
ReplyDeleteI really feel for you, I think your LAQ could of done much more for you, she should have rectified the problem if she wants to keep her reputation. The fact is she did not follow your instructions and somebody should have paid for the mistake, ultimately she should have paid for her mistake, not you even if you did receive a discount you are still left with quilts that are not what you wanted. And if you were to correct her mistake by unsewing and changing the backs around you would still have to pay to have them quilted again, so you ultimately lose,not only that but if you did unsew you could risk slipping with the unpicker and making a mess of your fabric. My LAQ is fantastic and works with me all the way when quilting something for me, she also keeps me updated with photos of when she first begins to quilt, recently she used a different coloured thread than the normal white and I was a little unsure of what it would look like quilted so she sent me a photo before she went any further quilting, if I had decided I didn't like it she would have unsewed it and used another colour. If your interested and want to mail your quilt to her let me know and I can put you in touch with her, her website is http://suetuma.yolasite.com/
ReplyDeleteI would be gutted!!!! I long arm quilt. If I made that mistake I would offer to undo and fix.
ReplyDeleteSimple answer
Linda
I would be very upset and I would take out the quilting on both. Yes, you would have to go slow and careful not to stretch the tops but it will drive you crazy the way it is. I always dread unsewing but am so thankful once I've done it. However, I've never removed an entire back - just sections I wasn't happy with (my own quilting). Don't use her again. There are plenty of good quilters to work with.
ReplyDeleteAh, Deb, I can still feel your pain and my heart aches for you. There is no easy answer but I hope you can put it behind you and move on soon (whatever it takes). *hugs*
ReplyDeletePut one of those quilts in the mail and I'll gladly rip out the quilting for you. I mean it, Deb. If you don't to remove the quilting then leave them in the box until you feel you really can get past the mix up. Your broken heart will heal.
ReplyDeleteI truly feel your pain because something very similar happened to me when I first started quilting - I was very sad.
I have a longarm and I know how long it can take to rip out just a few inches. You could piece at least one maybe four more in the amount of time it would take to rip out two. Even if you had them redone looking at them would always remind you of what happened. Since it bothers you so much, which I totally understand, bind them and give them away. Someone who gets them will never know of the mistake. Make something else you will love as much or more. Next time you send a quilt to be quilted pin top and back together with a note and description of what you want done. The quilter was at fault for sure but just go forward from here and find another longarmer. There are many of us out there who can do it right!
ReplyDeleteI think if you unpick the quilts you will like them even less.
ReplyDeleteUn picking even a small amount of quilting is tedious. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to do two whole quilts.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I would do if it were me....but maybe first on the list would be finding a new LAQ.
I feel for you! I've heard other stories similar to your situation. I think I will go overboard now to prevent it from happening to me when I give a long-armer two quilts at once, so at least your bad outcome is a lesson for others.
ReplyDeleteOh so sad! I am sorry this has happened to you. I can only imagine how upsetting it must be! I think the time it would take to unpick them, and the results, would only increase your stress. Perhaps giving them away or donating them to a good cause could help you feel more positive about the outcome. It sounds like there is no hurry now, so maybe a good solution will reveal itself in time. Sending a big hug!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain and the difference is obvious - though personally I am not picky about backings (they are more of an afterthought for me). But then again I quilt my own stuff on a short arm machine and all mistakes are mine;-)
ReplyDeleteIf I had any of the fabrics you used I would send them to you and follow advice of earlier comments to give the mixed-up ones away.
Honestly, I think I'd cry. And then probably deliberately lose the quilts. I'm not too picky about my backings -- but I'm the one deciding what goes on which quilt. If someone else changed my mind for me, I'd be beyond furious.
ReplyDeleteI would be livid with the LAQ, she surely didn't do right by you when you brought these mistakes to her attention. I would never consider using her again for my quilting. I know how disappointing it would be but I don't think I would rip the stitches out. Just try to get by it and start a new beautiful quilt to take your mind of it. It's over and done, try to move on and don't make yourself sick over it but let us know what you decide to do. After all, the final decision will be yours..
ReplyDeleteOh I am so sorry to hear this. I know that one thing I do each and every time someone sends me more than one quilt it to label the top and back REALLY well, and put them on the same hanger.
ReplyDeleteI don't know If I would have the patience to pick them out...
Oh, Man! that is not fun at all. If you are keeping both quilts I would just leave them together.
ReplyDeleteYes, I would be upset too. Most quilters pick out special backs for each quilt. It is really a shame that she wasn't more watchful as she put them together.
Oh, my! Wow... I have been wondering about LAQ (it is new to me) and I wasn't sure that a- I could give up the control and b- that it wouldn't take out some of the fun.... I think I will stick to quilting myself! Thanks for the cautionary tale... ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy only experience similar to this was several years ago when my LAQ used a different panto than I had chosen. I don't think she would have even told me if someone else at the shop hadn't mentioned it. I also had a very uncomfortable time getting any money back. Her offer was that she would rip out the quilting and re-do it, but I didn't want to wait or take the chance of damage to the quilt. That was my last time having anything quilted there. I hope you can figure out a solution. I truly know what you are going through.
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