Keeping track
 

I'm curious to know if anyone keeps track of the quilts they make and how you do it. Someone PM'd me about the fabric I used on my first quilt, and it occurred to me that I didn't keep anything with fabric names or anything. I did manage to get her the names of most of the fabric, but I was curious as to whether this was something people kept track of...or what else people tracked when making quilts.

Thanks so much!

Amy

I have kept a journal of all the quilts and quilt projects I have made since I started in 2004. However I only take a photo of completed quilt, make a note where I got the pattern and who designed it, list start date and finish date, who I gave it to, for what occasion and when I gave it to them. I don't try to keep track of the name of the fabric or the manufacturer because I collect fabric from so many sources: Hancocks, LQS, thrift stores and garage sales, even cotton shirts being given away by my grandsons. If I use a scrap from something of my Moms or another family member, I usually make note of that fact.

my (journal) contains pattern information if a pattern is used- or sketches, fabric swatches (1/2" x 2") batting choice, backing, any notes about it as i go & pictures sometimes along the way- always when finished. also who/what it is for- and any other (pertinent) information.

I take photos of everything I make, especially quilts....
I think this is an excellent way of tracking....
http://quiltalbum.com/index.html
A software program, made by and for quilters......

I wish I did better keeping track... Try to get photos in progress and at completion with some notes (or photo titles) telling me what I did with the quilt. But it is just a lot more fun to work on the quilting than it is to work on the documentation.

I keep a spreadsheet with dates, sizes, a few notes, and lots of pictures in folders on the computer. Keeping track of each individual fabric would be a huge effort, and since most of them won't be available in a year's time, it would be futile.

I have a blog and everything is there, although not always collected together. I'm trying to put together a Journal as part of my blog, with details about each quilt - either as I make it, or assembling the info from all the various posts along the way.

When I first started quilting many years ago I kept a graphic-paper notebook and would cut out tiny pieces of fabric to reproduce the block. Now I just keep a photo of each quilt in my engagement calendar, with a note about who the recipient is.

I had never thought of doing this. Thank you for the idea. Being that I am on my first one and I have taken a few pictures, I will keep track of when I am finished with this one and what I made ot for. Then I can keep track when I start my next ones.
Thanks much.

I had started a journal about my quilting and the things I've accomplished as a quilter. I also started to journal about each of the quilts I made. Then I had a rush on orders for several quilts last fall and have not kept up with the journal at all. Plan to start up again.

After I choose a collection of fabric from my stash for a quilt I make a photo copy of the pattern I will be making; this is my working pattern and I will make notes and changes on this copy, and on a seperate piece of copy paper I line up 2" sqs of each of the fabric and sew baste them to the paper with one seam. I write any info from the selvage next to each swatch and where in the pattern it will be used, like star points, sashing, binding, etc. I always have a reference to look at. If I decide to change a fabric I just sew the new choice swatch right over the original and it gives me a history.

I also take this paper to LQS when shopping for coordinating fabrics. Easy-peezy!

EDIT: I take a picture of the top before and and after quilting and binding. These go into a binder with the pattern and fabric swatches with dates, start and finish and who it was given to.
peace

nope could only tell you maybe one completed quilts fabric line. the others I have no clue, nor do I have interest in keeping track. The only thing I hate is that some of the batiks don't have selvages with info on them which bothers me when I am trying to locate more

About 20 years ago I kept track for awhile but have gotton out of the habit. You have inspired me to at least take a picture

Deborah, do you use this program yourself? It looks really good! I like many others started out saving a journal, but got out of the habit. I do keep pictures of all my quilts and post to Photobucket, etc. I find that if there is a "structured" program I will fill in the blanks religiously. Just wondering if its a good deal. :)

I got a free quilters journal with one of my magazine subscriptions where there is room for the quilt picture and all the information about the quilt. So far just my quilts go in there, haven't really kept up with any of my other projects.

Me too. I was looking for some way of keeping pictures and the story behind each quilt together, and in a manner that would allow me to share with friends and family who live outside my area. My husband suggested a blog, which was the perfect solution.

I started a journal long ago but I never wrote done the name or company of the fabrics I used. I am not that organized.

What a good idea! I've taken photos of the ones I've made, but haven't written down a thing. I'm going to check into the software to help me with this.

I take pictures of the quilts after I'm finished (a few I've taken during process.) I also take pictures with the person and me if possilble when delivered. All my quilts have been for kids, grandkids and gr-grandkids, there are lots. :) Now I'm thinking I will start one for myself, I'm caught up with babies until spring, but still have wedding quilts to make. I also take pictures of all other projects I sew and keep all on a thumb drive in catagories and hopefully get a picture album done someday.
Barbara