Getting a Grip, Making a Plan

I sure did get a lot of encouragement, empathy, and practical suggestions from you all on my last post. I have been feeling overwhelmed with the amount of quilts I have piled up everywhere, the number of projects I have in progress as well as planned for the future. I guess I am more of a "process" rather than "finished project" type of person, and it felt good to hear that many of you were the same. Others, who manage to finish what they start, had some great suggestions on what I might do with my no-longer-wanted quilts, UFOs, and surplus supplies. Read the comments from my last post for some outstanding ideas. 

What are some practical steps I can take to manage my projects and goals more effectively? I think it starts with an organized plan. I have always kept journals and find the practice helps me not only plan ahead, but to set goals and measure the steps I take to accomplish those goals. The top photo is from my 2023 journal. 

So, going forward, I will start up a new journal page with current works in progress and list the steps that remain to complete them. Importantly, I will check in with this journal page weekly and monitor what I have accomplished.

Here is my new page all ready to be filled in. Notice I didn't leave room to write down too many projects. That will help me feel less overwhelmed to see just four or five items in each category. I will prioritize the ones I am most excited about. On the next page, I will note each project and what needs to happen to get it done. 

Years ago, I did a post on scheduling a time to quilt every day. I think my minimum was to try for an hour in the sewing room each day. I want to get back to this practice because every little bit counts toward a finish, and if I am persistent, I will reach my goals. Even if my sewing mojo seems to be on hiatus right now, spending time in the sewing room will be therapeutic.

Getting my head above water will not happen in a day, and I need to allow for some flexibility. While I am on vacation in May, I will solidify my plan to take down all my quilts from their storage shelves and categorize them as to whether I want to sell them, donate them, or keep them. I would love to end up with quilts that I switch out seasonally, use on my beds, and decorate my house. My friend Thelma (Cupcakes 'n' Daisies) does a monthly Quilt Parade on Instagram, showing how she showcases some of the many beautiful quilts she has made. It is inspiring not just to see her work, but to see how she uses them in her decor. 

To show you that I haven't just been sitting around thinking about being productive, here's proof that I got something done yesterday! This is the block Quarters and Dimes from the Mercantile sew-along. Only four more blocks to go!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

 

Comments

[Elaine]

I find this post very encouraging. I'm struggling to finish some of my quilts - can't afford to pay to have them finished, finding them difficult to machine quilt - and what would I do with them anyway - I already have so many. I've made some doll size hoping to be able to sell them or give them away - not to charity as I think they sell things too cheaply and someone else sells them for a lot more on ebay etc (I don't like profiteering) but no one has children that I know, so it's a bit of a dilema. Meantime I carry on sorting, moving and stroking my fabric stash and wishing I could be rid of it!! And another thing - you should see how much fabulous marino wool I have..........knitting all I have will see me needing a new chest of drawers at least. What wonderful problems - if they are the only problems I ever have I shall be an extremely happy person. Counting my blessings,
Love from Elaine in UK

[Barbara Groeschell]

What a simple and cute quilt block.

[Jan]

I’ve started making smaller art quilts rather than bed quilts. I’m getting the creative part of sewing but not so many bed quilts languishing in various stages of construction. The colors in that block are pretty together. Have a great week!

[Ina]

I felt really selfish about all of this. Yours is the only blog left that I read about quilting and I really find you and your posts inspirational.

If you stopped making quilts I would lose my last quilting blog. yes, I follow lots of accounts on IG but it isn't the same to me.

so glad you are going to regroup and continue sewing for now.

[Karen]

Every single quilter I know loses their mojo from time to time. Taking a break always works for me. Sometimes an extended one is necessary but I highly suspect one day you’ll walk in your sewing room and be excited about finishing a project or starting a new one. Give your quilting space a tidy up and focus on other things you enjoy. I’m reminding you of all this because you have been creating beautiful quilts for a long time. Obviously (at least the way I see it), this hobby feeds your soul and gives you a creative outlet. A break works wonders.

[Vickie]

My arthritis is now pretty severe. So I have to be careful to only work for a short amount of time. And I am here to say it is shocking how much can get done over the course of a week/month/year, with steady effort.

My goal is to sew, but not hurt.

I try to work at my sewing machine for 30-45 minutes per day.

Each day when I finish, I put whatever I am doing the next day in the machine and take a couple stitches.

That makes me plan ahead, put in the right color thread/bobbin, and be organized in general.

I have a long arm quilter and I have a lady who does the handwork on my binding. My daughter or my husband helps with pressing if there is too much of it all at one time (like ironing prewashed fabric in preparation for cutting).

I had a friend long ago who lined up all her UFO’s, in order of effort, started with the easiest and worked her way though all of them. If she hit one she did not want to go, she gave it away/sold it.

It will be interesting to see what type of $$$ return you are able to get if you sell quilts. I suppose it depends on the area.

Vickie

[Anita]

You are such a prolific quilter I can’t believe how much you get done! I’m definitely a process person, just enjoying the ride. Good tips to stay focused!