Mommysprojects

I might have 2-3 going at once (add an apparel project in there too), but they're all at different stages. Some days I want to piece, some days I want to quilt and some days I want to just pull out scraps and make a pretty one-off block. By having some projects in different stages my creative desire is able to be met. I do not, however, really ever want to cut :P

AZ Jane

I don't "work" on one quilt at a time. During any given time I have one on the machine to be pieced, one in the den to hand quilt, one in the planning stages (dreaming to cutting). It is how I do things. It's like I can see how things go together (binding) my SIL can't. So I do her binding, start to finish, she does my cutting (directions) I would go nuts if I had to cut 180 squares. She has no problem. We work differently but we work well together.

fruitloop

I like your view point. Why stress over finishing when the fun is in the doing? Many quilters sew quilt tops and call it done and start another one. Finished can be at any stage.

maviskw

I agree with this. We can change if we want to badly enough. A great many people have turned their lives around in a good way. Paul comes to mind.

Now, if only I could make it a point to arrive at appointments and such at least 5 minutes earlier. I'm trying, but not hard enough.

If I'm making a quilt for a deadline, I can get it done. But if I see something cute and want to try it, most likely I will make a block or two to get the pattern in my head and then I see the next cute thing and I'm off to that.

johnette

I am a one at a time -start to finish person. I enjoy seeing it come together and I rarely follow a pattern exactly, if at all. That means I am immersed in every step and sometimes changing things a long the way. For me, having more than one thing going would mean chaos in my sewing room. I want the zen of it. I have to admit that for the first time I just finished 2 quilts at the same time. I had a top done for a bed quilt but before I started the quilting, I put together a top for a baby quilt, then quilted them both. I did this because I only have one machine and didn't want to set it up for quilting, then stop in the middle to piece the baby quilt. So in my mind it was still one project at a time. That's just the way my mind works, I guess. I agree everyone is different and to each his own, but I just don't understand the thought process of having many projects going at once. That would stress me out because my real satisfaction is in the finished product. Maybe it boils down to where a person feels the most accomplishment or satisfaction. In seeing a project done, or in seeing the many possibilities of several projects at once.

Dina

Beautiful quilt, Joellyn!!!!

Dina

Friday1961

I work on only one at a time, partly due to having no dedicated sewing room/space, but I'm always working on others in my head at the same time. They become "next" projects, and because I'm eager to get to them, I work faster on the one I'm actually doing. Also, if I had several going, I know myself well enough that I would get bored with one or more and then concentrate only on the one I had more interest in.

klswift

Set yourself up with a reward system. Plan something like 'July I will finish the charity quilts' and when you do (even if it goes into August or ...) give yourself a day at the LQS or spa or whatever you enjoy. If you look at 22 projects to finish, you will be overwhelmed. But, if you can break them into categories, you can handle it. I always say that large projects are like how you eat an elephant - one bite at a time. Also, don't tell yourself that you can not start a new project until all those UFOs are done. This is settings yourself up for failure. Just try to limit the number of projects you start. Remember we have to keep it fun or we will never do it!

mindless

Awesome quilt, Joellyn! That's so pretty!
I'm another 'lots of irons' kind of gal, and I'm going to post a pic of how I learned to keep them all from falling on my feet. But first, you have to know that this is the corner of my sewing space that I am least proud of. Ok....my face is a little red.... sigh.....
all these boxes contain projects waiting for.....well waiting for attention. They are in many different stages of completion. Most contain a pattern and all the fabric I will need to complete it. Some contain the pattern and all the fabric already cut into the pieces or applique bits that I need to finish it. One or two contain completed tops waiting for backing, quilting & binding. On my cutting table (which you can't see) is the current project I'm working on. What you also can't see, is another, similar stack. I decided that rather than try to work on one thing at a time (unless there's a deadline, of course) I would just organize it all. Or make myself believe that it is organized. ;} I can walk over, pick a box & start working on whatever is inside. For me....fun!
Ok...no more stalling....here's the pic: (hope I uploaded it right)

Judith1005

I keep reading this thread for words of wisdom. I apparently am a much better starter then a finisher. (Lots of UFO's) Right now, I fear that I'm suffering from a short attention span and lack of motivation. I just keep trying to push through and at least get my odds and ends into finished tops. And, from there, the end goal is finished quilts!