FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Topics:

1. What is the best way to contact you?
2. Can I meet with you in person?
3. Do you smoke?
4. What do I need to provide you when you quilt my top?
5. What do you provide when you quilt my top?
6. How do I get started on a commissioned quilt?
7. What kinds of commissioned quilts do you make?
8. What do your clients think of your work?
9. Can I see a sample of your work?
10. What if you haven't addressed my specific question here?

How To Contact Me

It's usually fairly easy to get in touch with me. You are always welcome to send an email or give me a call. Leave a message if I don't answer my phone, I will return your call as soon as I can.

My phone number, mailing address, and inquiry form (to send me an email) are all on my Contact Me page.

Meeting In Person

Yes, I'm always happy to meet with my clients! While I certainly wouldn't mind meeting up with clients in Hawaii or Bermuda, that's a bit out of the way and somewhat expensive. *sigh* Therefore, I must limit my face-to-face meetings to local clients. I'm happy to meet you at a quilt shop that's convenient for you. Just give me a call or send me an email and we can set something up.

My phone number and inquiry form (to send me an email) are all on my Contact Me page.

No Stinky Quilts!

I do not smoke, nor does anyone else in my house. Your quilt will be returned to you free from any additional smells.

What the Client Provides

As my quilting service client, you need to provide me your quilt top and your quilt backing. Be sure they are prepared for machine quilting. You are welcome to provide your own batting if you wish, as long as it is not Mountain Mist batting. I've not had very good experiences with that brand. If you wish for me to make your quilt's binding, you also must provide me with 1 yard of prewashed fabric. Any extra will be returned to you.

For additional information, read all about my Quilting Service.

What I Will Provide

As my quilting service client, I will provide batting for your quilt (unless you choose to provide your own) and the 100% cotton quilting thread for the actual quilting. I will also provide expert advice when picking out a quilting design to use on your quilt, when choosing an appropriate thread color for your quilt, and I will provide care and attention to detail when quilting your top. I will treat your quilt with utmost care and respect as I know how much time, energy, and money goes into making a quilt.

For additional information, read all about my Quilting Service.

Commissioning a Quilt

All you need to do is pick up the phone or type out an email to get the ball rolling!

As my commission client, I will help you through all the steps to design the perfect quilt for your needs. This will include picking out a pattern (unless you already have one in mind), choosing the color scheme, and pricing materials and labor. We can do this in person, over the phone, or via email. Once we've finalized these details, I will begin working on your quilt. It generally takes 1 month for a commission quilt to be made, but this can vary widely depending on the complexity and the size of the quilt you want made. Smaller quilts may be finished sooner, larger quilts may take much longer.

For additional information, read all about my Commissioned Quilts Service.

Types Of Commission Quilts

I have made many styles of commissioned quilts. The three most common types have been:

• Quilts made with new quilting cotton that I've bought from reputable quilt shops.
• Quilts made with shirts (either dress shirts or T-shirts), plus new quilting cotton as needed.
• Quilts made with meaningful photographs that have been scanned and printed onto fabric, plus new quilting cotton as needed.

To view some of the commissioned quilts I've made, see my Commissioned Quilts Gallery.

Client Comments

"Hi! I just wanted to thank you for your velcro coin purse instructions. I just finished making one and it turned out beautifully! I'd never even quilted fabric together before but your pictures and easy-to-understand instructions made it fun. It was so nice of you to post this so amateur sewers like me can make pretty things."

Melissa B.
Sewer and new quilter from Hattiesburg, MS
Free Pattern Download

"Oh My Goodness! The quilt is SO beautiful! My wife is over the moon happy with it. This is now a family heirloom."

Mario A.
Awesome husband from Miami, FL
Commissioned Quilt Client

"Valerie’s quilts are well-used and loved by all four of my kids. Her exceptional workmanship is unbeatable. Kids put a strain on everything they use, and Valerie’s quilts have withstood wash after wash after wash. My kids won’t even go to bed without their baby quilts. I know they’ll be using those quilts for years to come!"

Amy D.
Mom of 4 from Gresham, OR
Commissioned Quilt Client

"Valerie created a beautiful custom twin-size quilt for my young daughter. She worked diligently to recreate a pattern that I loved and offered good advice on the fabric selection. The quilt is sewn beautifully and has a timeless look. I'm proud to own such a treasure and we will certainly enjoy it for many years to come."

Kerstin A.
Mom of 2 from Portland, OR
Commissioned Quilt Client

"If you want quality quilting, Valerie’s your gal. I have several local quilters I could use; but I prefer to send my quilts clear across the country to Valerie because I know she will take great care with my quilts and do them right. Whether you want a pantograph design, a free-motion whimsical design, or a custom heirloom design, you can trust Valerie to work with you on choosing the perfect design and providing exceptional quilting."

Kathy Y.
Quilter from Morrisville, NC
Quilting Service Client

"If you are looking for a long arm quilter I can honestly recommend Valerie for that. She is currently working on a quilt for me and every one of them has turned out beautifully. I've only seen them in pictures as she continually sends me emails about the progress which makes that anticipation of getting them back all the more. Although there is a shop here in town that can do the quilting I in all honesty would much rather send my babies cross border to Valerie as I know that they will get the TLC that they need."

Barb V.
Quilter from Calgary, Canada
Quilting Service Client

"There are lots of long arm quilters out there who will quilt your quilt tops for you, but Valerie is in a class by herself. She treats your quilt top like it was her very own from the moment you send it to her until you receive it back. Her work in quilting your quilt top is accentuated by her own high standards of doing quality work. Her quilting skills are fabulous and that translates into you getting back a wonderfully quilted quilt. I am very pleased with the work she did on my quilt top and will be a repeat customer of Valerie’s."

Jan J.
Quilter from Greenville, Tx
Quilting Service Client

Samples Of My Work

I will be happy to bring a sample of my work for you to see when we meet in person. If you are not a local client, however, I am unable to provide a physical sample of my work. I do, however, have many photos in my gallery of quilts I've worked on, including my "Up Close And Personal" section that has close-up, detailed photos of my quilting. It's the next best thing to having a sample in your hand.

To view photos of my quilting, see my Gallery.

Answering A Question Not On This Page

If you have a question that I have not addressed anywhere on my website, please feel free to contact me for an answer. You can give me a call or send an email. I'll happily chat with you (or reply via email) to answer your question to your satisfaction.

My phone number and inquiry form (to send me an email) are all on my Contact Me page.