I always keep one in the cutting stage, one in the piecing stage, one in the quilting stage, and one in the binding stage. Right now since I'm doing a mystery quilt I have two in the piecing stage. And I am a little behind in my binding so I have two waiting for the binding to be stitched down by hand. That's 6 that I am working on currently; then I have three that are completely cut out waiting for me to start piecing. Then there are four all pieced waiting for me to start quilting them - so I guess I could say I have 13 that I'm working on; but please, don't make me count the bags with fabric and patterns stored together waiting their turn at cutting.