Hand Made Quilt Problem

What is the name of your state? This occurred in Illinois. On May 30, 2003 I paid a woman $250 for a quilt that she made for me. I waited 6 months for this quilt. I immediately noticed pattern markings all over the quilt. The woman said that these are water soluable marks and they will wash out. The markings did not wash out at all. I contacted her and she basically told me too bad and there is nothing she can do about it. I have been in contact with her several times since asking for help to get these markings out and she keeps refusing. I have taken the quilt to 2 cleaners specializing in quilt cleaning and both could not remove the markings. I also consulted with 3 quilters who all say that the woman who made the quilt used a pencil to make the pattern markings and not a water soluable quilting pen. They also tell me that when they make a quilt they never give it to a customer with all the markings. These are to be removed after the quilt is finished. I called the woman with this info and I now find out that she was not the one who finished the quilt. She then tells me she checked with this other woman and she did not use a pencil. But she couldn't tell me what this woman used to mark the quilt. I haven't talked to the woman for about 8 months now. Can I sue her in small claims or is it too late?

it's too late.