I have always been easily distracted by the next new and shiny quilting project. This trait has led me to be one of those people who always have a half dozen quilting projects going on at once. Lately, I have been spending more time thinking about what to work on next than actually doing any sewing. I have been feeling dread rather than pleasant anticipation when I go into my sewing room
Are you like this at all? I feel like I lack the discipline to finish anything. I have decided to put this situation into perspective and see if I can do anything about it, because I feel overwhelmed. Quilting should be fun, relaxing, and creative, but lately it feels more like a chore.
I have some ideas on how to get organized, focus on my projects, and get things finished. I hope you will follow along with me and share your thoughts. Are you a “one project at a time” person? Or are you scattered like me? Do you have stacks of UFOs? Does it bother you?
I plan to tackle this issue with baby steps. The first thing I did was pull out a super cute little notebook that makes me happy to write in.
Next, I started listing the current projects I have hanging over my head, making me feel guilty and giving me no joy. This is just page one…
Here is my basic idea to get started:
1) Write down every unfinished quilting project.
2) Note where I left off.
3) Identify the next step needed to move each project forward.
4) Be realistic. If any of these projects can wait until another season or a later time, set them aside.
This is just my starting point. Check back with me on Monday to see what I plan to do for Step Two!
Please do share your thoughts on UFOs, working on multiple projects at once, and how you get things done!
2 Responses
I have about two dozen quilt projects going at any one time. I like it this way because I just work on whatever I feel like at the moment – cutting, piecing, pin basting, quilting, binding – in whatever colors I feel like looking at. As long as I get one quilt one step closer to done, no time feels wasted. Right now I have 3 quilts with actual time limits – one must be cut prior to a class on 10/30, one baby quilt must be done by 11/7, and one other baby quilt by 2/1. Anything else is just relaxation.
I’m like Christa. I’m usually planning one project, prepping/cutting fabric for another, piecing another and assembling another. And sometimes I’m using parts of another as a leader/ender! It’s a good mixture of creativity and progress for me, and I find I don’t have the ability to sit and do just one thing as long as I used to. What saps joy for me is when the blocks are done and the layout I planned isn’t working and I’m not seeing an alternative. The containers of finished blocks…so close, but not across the finish line…are what hang over my head. That and all the kits that I have waiting in queue!