I saw a string asking how many projects you have going at once, so now that I've determined I'm not alone, I have a question for you. How do you organize those projects? I mean, how do you keep them from getting mixed up or figuring out where you are?

O.K., so maybe a few questions.... :oops:

I have four very distinct projects right now. One is a lap quilt that I am handquilting, one has the blocks all assembled and I am starting to assemble the top, one is a block exchange and the other I just picked up the fabric for and it is very different from any other fabric I have around. I guess they are all in different spots in the house so that helps too!

Ziploc Baggies! and drawers

I bought these storage boxes from WalMart that stack nicely on my shelf. Need to say I need to pick up a few more. I think I have way too many projects in the works right now.

WalMart has big square white boxes in the craft dept. that are great for keeping quilt projects together. It is big enough to hold everything for one quilt. It has a place for a reusualbe label on front and they stack great. When I start a project I put everything in one of the boxes and that way I don't have to search for the supplies to finish when I get back to it. I always put a note in the box where I stopped on the project and the next step. That has saved me tons of time when I get back to it.

A number of people here also use pizza boxes...you can get them reasonably priced from most pizza establishments :wink:

i go to my local pizza place and ask them to give me some new pizza boxes.

i get the largest pizza box they have and i can stack them very nicely in my room.

i tape the computer image of the quilt design on the top of the box along with an index card that details where i left off. each project gets it own box.

when i receive a work order i set the box up even if all i have in there is the fabric i need to make the quilt. this way i never use "spoken for" fabric in another project by mistake.

i seem to have a running theme in my quilting life..........

i should be called The Frugal Quilter

me too! Big bags keep instructions, extra fabric, partially finished blocks, etc.

Scmetimes I get bogged down for a bit and need a change. But I have everything together. Keep those instructions handy!!

Oh, one more thing. When I gather fabric from my stash that will perfect for a someday plan, I put the intended pattern/photo with it so I don't forget. That keeps my cluttered little brain on track.

A few of my projects are full to queen size, how do you fit the fabric for those in a pizza box? I really like the idea since that would take up less space, just not sure how I would fit everything in.

first thing i should point out - i typically don't sell quilts over 6 feet. i'm an art quilter and my work goes on the wall.

i keep the focal yardage fabrics in the box. the background fabric that i have on bolts just stays on the bolts. i can tell from the graphics which bolt fabric i need.

i keep a lot of basic fabric on hand.

Anybody else feel like pizza?? :lol:

i know i do!

I like the pizza box idea.
I order fabric online and some are shipped in plastic bags so I reuse them for my projects. I mean the pakaging inside the shipping box is plastic bags. Quilt in a Day uses plastic zip lock bags for the fabric.
That way I dont have to buy bags.

you can put them in small see through container and write down what in there on a paper so you know what they are

That makes sense!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful ideas!

If I did that, I think my husband would disown me since we share the room!

my DH would never share a studio with me - i'd talk his ear off until he moved out so i could have the room all to my self.

we each have our own studio in the house.

I use a combination of things. When it's still just a collection of fabric that I want to stay together I use the super size ziplocks. After I get the blocks started I use the Super Satchel Art Bins. Once the top is together I put it, the backing and binding in a dresser drawer.

I keep mine in separate plastic boxes. Unless they are partially completed tops. Mostly I work with fabrics that could not get confused with another WIP. I have three going right now, and one is all blue so it would not be confused with the brown and green one. etc.

I keep mine in the very large ziplock bags, but I like the pizza box idea :). Seems like they would be more "stackable" than throw in bottom of the closet :).

I have a cubbyhole wall unit from Ikea and in the top few cubbies I put all the fabric for a project together. The other cubbies have fabrics by collection, by FQs, backings, etc.

My projects usually go into a plastic "project" boxes that I get from WalMart or the dollar store. I get the clear ones and have different sizes.

well i'm ashamed to say what my 'stuff' looks like. i don't have a "room" to quilt in. i use my dining room table and fabric is stacked here and there - kinda helter skelter. i am not an organized person - wish i was and i've tried but just can't be. guess i am just a slob, but if i look long enough i'll find things in the strangest places - then i'll think well good grief why did i put that there? hummm, am i the only person dis-organized?
donna

When I find a pattern I know I will do or fabric I just have to have :roll: , I put the pattern and/or the fabric in the Hefty One Zip Jumbo 2.5 gallon bags 12 count box. These are the greatest bags and hold quite a bit. I can reuse these after I am finished for the next projector put teh finished piece in until quilted or ???. Beware, not all stores carry them. Our Walmart does not so I get them at Krogers. I then store these in my plastic bins and pull out when ready. I like the pizza box idea, but my DD's cats have been known to mess on items... so the pizza box would not work here.

Depending on where I am in a project...
I use the bags that sheets, comforters, etc...come in. Or I use small ziplocs and then put into a larger one with pattern, etc.
If it is almost top done, then I hang the blocks on a pant/skirt hanger...as I go along, I add the border strips...finally all that is left is the completed quilt top that hangs until I get in sandwiched...
Then it goes on a shelf (the WIP shelf) which I am trying to clear by the end of Sept.
Kirsten

We buy sodas for DH in these boxes that are about 12" x 16" x 2".
I take two of them and cut one long side off, each, and slide them together and duct tape. I end up with about 16" x 20" x2".
Then I put a lot of tape on, to make it strong.
I have about 8 of them right now, and I put one project in each, and stack them, kind of turning them a bit, so the corners are offset. I love the organisation of them, and looking at all the fabrics, when I move them. :D

Would you post a picture of this? (Please?)

What's a reasonable price for the pizza box?

I don't have much space, so I'm limited how I can store things. When I cut up pieces for a quilt, they go in a large ziploc bag with the pattern. I store them in one of the under the bed zippered storage bag. If necessary, I put the backing/binding/exra fabric in a separate bag. If I swap projects, I just move what I'm not working on to the under the bed collection. I don't usually have a problem picking up where I left off because I usually finish a set of blocks before storing it.

Once I assemble the quilt top, I try to make room to hang it in the closet. It seems to get completed faster when I can see it daily. Other fabric not designated for a particular project is in various bins in the closet.

Donna, You are not alone in being so disorganized! I am right there with you on that. In fact, I started a BOM at my LQS back in Jan. Actually, I have not even made any of the blocks,yet, due to other projects in the works...but I have dutifully picked them up each month. And, believe it, or not, I have labeled the bag with the name of the month and kept them together. The problem...at the first month we also purchased the 'completer' fabric we would need to use throughout the year. Well...i have no clue where I have 'stashed' it and no clue whatsoever what it even looks like!!! Duh!

Everyone here is giving such great storage ideas. Getting my sewing room reorganized will be my Sept. project. Right now I am busy with getting both my college daughters ready to head back to their respective campuses and getting my kdg classroom ready for another school year. Would really rather tackle my sewing room...you are all so inspirational!!!

I have a fabric cupboard in my sewing room. I have one shelf for planned projects that are kept separate in large baggies.

I then keep a running list on the side of the cupboard. (acutally a couple lists). They are :

1. TO BE FINISHED (started but the top isn't complete. I have a few stray blocks and extras that I intend to make into wall hangings.)

2. TO BE QUILTED (top is done and waiting for quilting)

3. TO DO (fabrics bought sometimes with a plan for a pattern sometimes just a color scheme I have in mind i.e. Rose and Cream Quilt)

When I acutally made my TO DO list I was amazed to see how much fabric/projects I already have on hand. I definitely don't need to buy any more until I get a few done. I have enough to keep me busy.

Pam B, thank goodness there's somebody else kinda like me. and ya know what, my daughter is a kindergarten teacher and she's the most organized person i've ever seen. she lives 800 miles away from me but when she comes to visit, she starts organizing "things". there's a place for everything and everything is in its place. then she goes through my closets - clothes & shoes - my quilts especially and puts them all in a pile then has me come look to see if there's anything in the pile that i don't want to part with - usually i just say yeah that's all ok. and by the way, everybody, she wants me to make her a quilt with pockets to put her feet in when she covers up, can anybody think of a way to do this, she says her feet are always coming uncovered.

You could make her one of those "quillow" quilts -- you put a pocket at the end and then you can fold up the quilt and stick in the pocket to make a pillow when not in use. (As a "neat freak", she would probably like this.) The pocket is also good to stick your feet in :wink:

I agree with you Klue about sharing your studio, no way I'd share my sewing room with DH. I'm selfish with my alone time and space. I stopped by Pizza Hut and they wanted $2 for new pizza box. Larry's Pizza wanted $2 too. Mazio's gave me two boxes, the young teen working the register never heard of anyone asking for empty boxes and I bet the manager tells her to charge next time. For the price of pizza boxes I'll just buy the WalMart boxes.

thanks sewjoyce, i'll have to try one of those - i've never made one but i've heard about them.

This site seems to be pretty good one for instructions:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/3721/quillow.htm

thanks i saved the link - i'll sure have to try it sometime.

I have a cutting table that has 12 large drawers. Some of the drawers are for everyday tools, thread, etc, and the remainder house individual projects. It's been a life saver, I had to learn the hard way to cut my bindings and border first and then place them with the project.

I also have closets in my sewing room. So sometimes I use VERY large zip lock bags, put contents of in, and then hang them by a pants hanger in the closet. Easy to see, and doesn't take up much space.

I would be more than happy to... :mrgreen: get to show off all those yummy fabrics, in my WIP's...but I have to wait for DD or somebody that help me figure out, once I download a pic, then come to post it, why it doesn't show up in my list, when I hit browse? I hit a snag the other night, and tried again, next day...nada. She doesn't get much time off, so we shall see, ok? :D