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Organizing Unfinished Quilt Projects

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Mystery Quilts
     Do you have UFOs (UnFinished Objects), WIPs (Works In Progress) that are on your “to do” list that have been on that “to do” list for more than a year?
     If the answer to the question above was a resounding, “Yes”, then keep reading! Today’s topic is one that I am sure most of us quilters are very familiar with: How to keep on top of unfinished projects.
     
     USEFUL TIPS:

  • Keep your quilting area organized, to the best of your ability. Now, I realize that everyone has different levels of “organization” skills and that some of you may be more organized than others. Myself? I am so organized that it is practically unreal. I even drive myself nuts sometimes. I am the type that plans on how to make the best plans! But, back to organizing… simply try to keep things that are alike in the same area. For instance, keep all of your blocks/fabric/etc. for one project together; preferably in one container. Try to keep all of your rotary cutting tools in one area. Books and magazines can go in one area. And, lastly, if you have numerous items that do not really “go” in any one particular project, then have an area for miscellaneous items.
  • Make a UFO/WIP list! First, do NOT put off doing this! Prolonging this task means that you are probably either not serious about getting “caught up” or having no list does not bother you (it would kill me if I had to live without lists in my life!). Add everything on this list that needs to be done in your quilting life; UFOs, WIPs, etc. Try to prioritize them on the list by either putting the oldest projects at the top, so you can finish them off, or prioritize projects by how important they are in getting done (some may need finished before others). Regardless of the order you put your projects in, the fact that you are making a list is important. Place this list somewhere in your sewing/quilting room so that you can refer to it, as needed (see the next paragraph), and also so that it stays upfront and in your face to remind you of what you need to finish. It is so easy to store a project then totally forget about it (do not ask me how I know this to be true). So, what are you going to do after you finish reading this article? Yes, you are going to make a list while it is fresh on your mind and you are motivated (at least I hope you are motivated!).
  • Keep a calendar in your sewing/quilting area. This may sound like a minor detail, but it can become one of your best friends to gaining control over your unfinished projects, giving structure to a plan to get them finished, maintaining organization, while beginning the escape to living in a chaotic quilting atmosphere. Write your personal non-quilty events/appointments/etc. on the calendar first. Then, select one day in the month that is clear (or mostly clear, as I know most of us lead busy and active lives!) and circle it in red. Now, what is that red day for? It is a day that is set aside that is to be devoted to working on UFOs and/or WIPs. I am not even going to begin to suggest how much time of that day is devoted to your UFO/WIP Day, simply because I do not live your life and do not know how much time you have available. But, even if it’s just 15 or 20 minutes, that is more done than you had in the first place, right? Start at the top of the list, referred in the bulleted point above, and begin working your way down. When you force time for those projects into your schedule, you will find yourself beginning to mark them as “COMPLETED” and grinning like cat that swallowed the canary. I say, “force time”, like it is a bad thing, but it actually is not. Once you get started, you will find yourself getting into the groove as you work on it. The primary goal of the calendar is in setting aside specific time for the UFOs/WIPs. If something comes up in your personal life that threatens to take your red day and you cannot reschedule it to another day, then circle one more day on the calendar in the same month to become your new red day. Also, who says that you can only have one red day per month? Muhahaha!
  • Consider combining smaller projects to make a large project. For instance, say you have quite a few random blocks laying around that you were going to use in other projects, but somehow those projects never happened and somehow died along the way. Take all of the random blocks and put them into one single, large project, such as making a charity quilt (watch for another article on charity quilting coming soon!) or even a utility quilt for yourself!
  • Consider taking a project that was initially going to be large and finishing it as a small project (just the opposite as the item above!). If you have a project in which you were initially going to make 12 large blocks for a large quilt, but ended up only making a few of them, instead of making the full quilt, make a wallhanging or a baby quilt or a tablerunner or something suitable for yourself. Or even take those fewer blocks and simply add more borders (or larger borders) to get more “mileage” out of your work. Or how about using those blocks to become part of a border on another quilt?
  • Make yourself a “portable” kit. Now, you may be wondering what in the world a portable kit is. In essence, it is a kit that you can take with you everywhere you go simply by packing a little project together in a freezer bag or something similar, and keeping it in your vehicle. Then, when waiting for doctor’s appointments, etc., take it in with you and do your hand-piecing (watch for an article on hand-piecing coming soon!) or appliqué. You would be amazed at how much you can accomplish with a few minutes here and there. I was in a road construction zone a couple of years ago and saw a lady in the lane next to me knitting while we waited on the crew to clear us to move forward! I was envious, as we sat there for a good 20 minutes, me bored, and her smiling away as her needles flew in her skilled hands. I purchased a makeup bag at a local discount store and it holds my appliqué project in it. You would not believe how much I have packed in this little bag!
  • Try not to over-commit yourself. It is very easy for me to keep saying “yes” when I should be saying “no”! And I imagine a lot of you are the same. Instead of trying to be SUPERWOMAN and stressing yourself out, be PRACTICALWOMAN who shines in all of her glory as she does a fabulous job due to being able to focus more on one single project rather than trying to juggle a half dozen.
  • Come up with a plan to make a dent in your UFO/WIP pile. I made a New Year’s resolution that for every two new projects that I started in 2007, I had to finish an old UFO/WIP. So far, I am sticking with it!!!!! And it feels great! Your numbers may not be the same for you; but try to come up with some type of reasonable plan. It is great to have high expectations for yourself, but remember, they should be obtainable, reasonable expectations.

     I am sure that you can come up with additional tips that I have not included here. In fact, I am fairly positive that as soon as I publish this article, I will begin thinking of more to add to it (I always do that!).
     I certainly hope that have gleaned some useful information from this article and are ready to attack your UFO/WIPs with a vengeance. Grab a calendar, circle your red day(s), make a list, then go for it! I wish you the best of luck in making a dent in organizing your unfinished quilt projects.

StarQuilting By Design Site Map.
StarOriginal article first published on Quilting Passion by Terry Crawford.

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13 Responses to “Organizing Unfinished Quilt Projects”

  1. Sequana Says:

    As I begin my 3rd year of quilting, I am proud to say that I do not have a whole bunch of UFO/WIP projects. I try very hard to finish up one before I start another, even tho that’s tough sometimes.
    What I make a list of tho are time lines and future projects to keep me on track.
    I have a commissioned quilt facing me now, but I won’t begin until all the supplies are in my hands. In the meantime, I’m making myself a nice bag. *S*

  2. Valerie Says:

    I’m proud to say that I’ve finished up a few of my UFOs recently (meaning since around Christmas time LOL), but I do have two for myself that need to be finished and some charity quilts to finish up as well. Not too bad, as I know of some quilters with lists of UFOs that are quite long. :)

  3. Terry Crawford Says:

    I finished up two (2) huge UFO/WIPs right around January 1. I am eyeballing another one that is calling my name and as soon as tax season is over and I get my life back, I am going to re-evaluate my “list” and begin the next project. One thing I didn’t mention in the article is that I made a new rule for myself this year, too. I have to finish at least one UFO/WIP for every two new projects that I undertake. Sounds like a good plan to me!

  4. CathyDB Says:

    I’ve always considered myself pretty organized but my sewing room just defies organization!!! Thanks for the great article.

  5. debf618 Says:

    I have many WIPs and UFOs - I am going to make the list and organize thanks to you! I had already decided that I would send out 3 of my tops to be professionally quilted. I usually hand quilt my tops, but realized I just can’t do that and get anything done.

    Thank you for a wonderful article and the motivation to get organized!

    Deb

  6. Sheryl Says:

    I always have several projects in progress at the same time and have found my method for keeping everything straight. You know those big plastic zipper bags in which you buy sheets, blankets, etc.? I have saved them over the years, and they make great project containers. I keep the pattern, completed blocks, and fabrics for the project in the bag until it is finished. It keeps me from using a fabric that I still need! They store easily, too.

  7. Kim Says:

    Great article, Terry!! I’m definitely going to use some of these ideas on my WIP/UFO list. My problem right now isn’t so mych WIP/UFOs as it is cut out quilts waiting to be assembled. I see a pattern I like (usually a crib size suitable for PL), cut out the pieces (usually from stash) and then it sits there while I work on things that are already started.

  8. judy Says:

    Thanks for the great article, Terry. I don’t have too many ufo/wip but I have fabrics that I have purchased for specific quilts that have not been started. The first of the year I made a list of things that needed to be finished and projects I wanted to start. Each month I am setting out goals that I want to accomplish during the month. The important thing, at least for me, is to make the goals attainable. So far I am pretty much on track. I have been working on a large quilt using Carol Doak’s 50s Stars book. I started in 2002 and at the beginning of this year I had 8 of the 18 needed blocks finished. I decided to make this my personal BOM and so far it’s working. I’m working on #12 this month. Thanks for all the good tips.

  9. Genny Says:

    Am working away on my projects — but moving too much right now with renovations. I just wanted to say that if life really interrupts then put things on hold and work on something FUN during the “red day”. It may mean that you relax on your “red day” instead of focusing on accomplishing another thing that has become a MUST DO instead of a want to do.. :)
    Also, another tip is to list generally what stage your projects are on your list so you can decide which one to work on. For example.. last Friday, I worked on two UFO’s that needed sashing strips. I didn’t want to quilt anything or bind anything. I might spend a “red day” cutting the rest of the pieces or organizing it for sewing…

  10. Alison Says:

    This is a great article! And definitely something I need to do. Every time I start to write a list I get overwhelmed by the length of it. LOL - I guess that means I really NEED the list, doesn’t it?

  11. June Arndt Says:

    Thnks for the article. Very good. I have a lot of UFO’s and I think your suggestion of a “Red Letter Day” will be a big help to me. Thanks for the suggestion. Also the calendar in the sewing area is a wonderful idea. June

  12. Terry Crawford Says:

    Great comments, everyone. I am glad that this article motivated some of you into getting organized!!! I know it even motivated me to rethink my list and update it. Last December, I posted my list on the Quilting Passion Forum so that it was right out there in front of me. My list is HUGE. i’ve been making dents in it, though… and didn’t realize how many unfinished projects I had until I started going through my sewing room and cleaning out drawers (which is what prompted me to make my list). Amazing how things can get out of hand if you don’t reign them in sometimes. I really enjoy reading what YOU have to say. You give me a different view of something I’ve written everytime!

  13. marje Says:

    Terry - great basics! Now, if we all would just follow them…My current project is a larage box of fat quarters that has been gathering dust for years, because I don’t tend to make quilts using fat quarters. So, I have them on my dining room table, and am cutting them into 2.5, 3.5, 5.5 and a few 6.5 squares, and 2.5 and 3.5 strips. I’m seeing a Pineapple Blossom quilt in my future!

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