At the start of the new year, I’ve decided my main priority is to get organized in a few areas of my life. Like many of my fellow quilters, things sometimes get out of hand, and I have no idea where I stand in terms of WIPs (works in progress), UFOs (unfinished objects), and future projects that require some planning. So, my goal is to organize, prioritize, and make a plan. Why don’t you work along with me and see if we all can’t sort all the chaos out and start 2026 out right?
Feeling scattered? Never fear, the first step to getting organized is to start by making lists. Find a cute notebook and a good pen, and let’s go. Review your projects and identify which are WIPs. A WIP is a project that is in progress and may be close to completion. My goal is to tackle those first and clear them out of the sewing room to make room for the next item on the list.
I had six or seven projects that fit that category. Let’s take a look.
Remember this pretty sampler quilt with the border that forms a bow at the top border? It was a sew-along that Erica Arndt did on her YouTube channel. I wanted to use up the fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop Designer Mystery 2024 project that I ended up not loving. What makes this a WIP is that all it needs is the outer border. I can easily get this finished up.
Two more WIPs in the photo above. My Cali & Co project only needs two more blocks and a pieced lattice and outer border. This is a fun project to work on and if I put my mind to it I could finish it up in a week. Next to it is the Brio block I made with the idea of making three or four of them to turn into a table topper. This American Jane fabric is a joy to play with and it wouldn’t take long to make a couple more blocks and put a narrow border on.
My most recent WIP is the Winter Village project that I started before Christmas. Of course, I got sidetracked and didn’t get it done, because well, it was Christmas and who has time to sew in December? I only have one more set of four houses to make, and then a simple border, and this will be a finish.
Lastly, the biggest albatross on my back is this Halloween Figs quilt. I have one more elaborate applique block to make, then a series of borders, one of which is pieced. I am so tired of looking at this quilt on my design wall, and it is an absolute priority to finish it and take it down. This project will take more time than the others, but I hope that if I plan my time well and set small goals, I can finish it. Soon.
My last WIP is the Pumpkin Spice Gatherings quilt, which just needs a border. I hesitated as to whether I wanted to bother with a border as the quilt is as big as a circus tent, but I guess I will do it. That shouldn’t take too long.
Do you feel a bit less hopeless? Trust me, we will dig our way out of this chaos together!
The next two steps towards Quilting Organization are UFOs and Future Projects. Come back tomorrow and we can chat about those topics.
18 Responses
Ooooh I love the bear paw patch. I’m a bit partial to that block (apart from stars in any way, shape or form) and the colours are super. Yes, I’m always disorganised, get cross, have blitzes galore and spend more time rearranging than sewing – which is what is happening at the moment. Managed to finish quilting the group charity quilt, needs binding – that took a bit of time in between illness over Christmas and up till now. Ugh, not the lurgy but still frustrating nonetheless!
Yesterday I started reorganizing all my books. I’d had them sorted by the color of the dust jacket, which looked pretty, but was not practical. Just because a book is red is not a good reason to keep it and let it take up shelf space. I now have stacks of books piled everywhere in my library/husband’s office. He will be home from getting his infusions tomorrow, so I have just over 24 hours to sort out this chaos.
Luckily my books are set in different orders, scrappy, applique, quilting and others like stars and log cabins. I will be giving some this year to my quilty groups as I don’t need them now. I don’t sew clothes but they were gifted to me by a friend and I felt I couldn’t give them away. Sadly she passed before Christmas. But my house is still full of the things she made, doorstops, banners, a clock. She was into all sorts of crafts, so I have no intention of giving those away, they are special.
Holly at Maker Valley has a free printable charts to list WIPs and another for new projects.
https://makervalleybrand.com/products/quilting-organizer-pdf-pack
Thanks for the link Linda, I will take a look.
I have been “forced” to clean the sewing room after making two quilts for my grandsons. Fabric everywhere! My design wall is the guest bedroom bed and my sister is coming to stay later this month so that had to be done. I took a week off from so much deadline sewing. I am planning for this year to be more diligent about finishing some WIPs.
Already I am being distracted by upcoming sew alongs. But I will be diligent and work on these WIPs and get them off my list.
you’re one of the most organized sewists I know but I guess we all can improve. I love all those quilts you have going.
Now, to come up with a method for getting them finished. Pull a project name out of a jar, maybe? The random number sorter?
And I’ve got two or three sew-alongs I am interested in doing, so I must clear the decks.
I don’t have so many UFO’s/WIP’s as I do ‘projects’ that need to be done with deadlines this year. It’s nothing I can’t do, but I want to make sure that something doesn’t get overlooked. So I’ll get on your list-making organization bandwagon & try to keep up!
I am a big advocate of list making!
Good prompts to get us organized, thanks. On the Fig Tree Halloween quilt … instead of doing an elaborate applique border, you could repeat the large, upper left hand block, changing where the fabrics are so it’s not exactly the same.
Actually that is a great idea. It isn’t that I don’t enjoy machine applique, but it is always such a process to get my machine set up and my mind in gear.
I’m caught up on the Cali & Co (Corey Yoder’s mystery quilt) blocks but I don’t like the sashing example/directions….any other ideas??
I do keep a book of projects but it needs to be more detailed!! My goal this year is to finish WIPs and use my stash!!
I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I will share my thoughts when I do! Thanks for the suggestion Gloria.
Great ideas for getting organized Nicole! I like the list idea for WIP’s.
I’m wondering if you could address “sewing time” in one of your blogs such as time and when and more importantly how you prioritize it.
You always get a lot accomplished!
Great ideas for getting organized Nicole!
I’m wondering if you could address “sewing time” in one of your posts such as time spent, when you sew, and more importantly how you prioritize it.
You always get a lot accomplished!
That is a really good idea Kerry.