Christmas slacker??
 

Every Christmas I fall into this same situation. And I always promise myself this is the last time. I tend (ok, make that always!) have a long list of handmade gifts for family and extended family. And every year I get to about now and realize that I need to step up the pace! I have 3 table toppers (all mailed) to do,, cutting tomorrow, maybe 3 travel bags, maybe a twin size quilt for grandson. I've already done 2 quilts, 2 wall hangings & 3 table toppers. Does anyone else get into this mess and what do you do to prevent that holiday rush?

I've learned to not put a deadline on items I want to make. Christmas is still a few weeks away so you have time to finish.

I work well with a deadline. Having a monthly "quota" or to do list helps me a lot. Not everything gets done, but more than without a list and interim deadlines.

https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png I've read a Quilting Planner can keep you on track with your projects. As for me, I don't quilt with deadlines because it takes the enjoyment out of quilting as my hobby. My goal is to gift my quilts for special occasions on or before the date. If I see I won't be done, I send a card with swatches of the quilt fabric with a note stating the quilt is under construction...stay tuned. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

I do a couple of quilts per year that are gifted for Christmas. This year I did them this summer! Sure feels good to just pull them off the shelf and add a holiday tag and Ta-Da ready to go.

I do use a planner and it does help to keep me focused. I limit myself to about 6 items per month. They may or may not be finishes but it helps me to not create as many UFOs. I actually try to include finishing one UFO per month. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png The planner is also a consistent place for me to keep calculations for expanding or shrinking the size of a pattern/block and plans for fabric choices and lastly a running shopping list for what is missing for that month's quilt plans. Works for me and is nothing more than a smallish sized spiral notebook that I was given at a conference. Win/win for me!

I don't work well under pressure. If I gift anything, it's something I have already made. Look around, you may have something already completed.

quiltingshortimer- I do that all the time!! You'd think I'd learn but I haven't. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

A bit of advice though- just plug along, do your best and let the rest go. I have gifts that were supposed to be finished for one Christmas and then they ended up being done for the next one.

We don't "do" gifts, maybe once in a while I'll get or make something for a friend but that's it.

I overwhelm myself every year doing what quiltingshorttimer does. This year I am more relaxed and not making any promises to myself about getting things made. I Know I have a quilt for my granddaughter that won't be quilted until after Christmas. That's ok, she will still get it , just later.

I am there right now. I have no idea if or how I am going to get things done. I just changed gears again and am making Christmas stockings and will fill them with goodies for this year. I have 4 quilted stockings made of about 20. I am just hoping I will get them all done. I only started yesterday.

I don't make gifts for holidays anymore cause I never get into the holiday spirit until it is almost here. I am not a good planner ahead person. Like I will start making a Halloween quilt about October 15th but I always feel it will be good for the next year.

I will say that my guild is doing stockings and a mask for our county Head Start and I decided to dig in the Christmas stuff and pull out the extras I made several years ago. And tomorrow my guild is doing a Zoom class on a Christmas table topper--I have 2 cut out and figure they will go together quickly. Will make an additional one and then load all 3 on the long arm at the same time and quilt fast(they all get mailed) and as far as the grandson's 3D quilt and the DD and DIL bags--those may wait until after Christmas as it's looking like we won't have vaccines by then and we'll need to wait until later in the Winter to gather.

Thanks for the idea Copycat. Before quilting, I knitted a LOT of afghans. Sometimes the gift box included the knitting needles and a promise to complete after Christmas. No problem, there are many days in January especially now with the current pandemic.

Did my Zoom class today and got the blocks for 2 table toppers finished. I did not buy the specialty ruler so mine aren't exactly like the instructor showed since I used by 60degree equalaterial triangle. She told us how to do an additional one, smaller blocks, with the scraps, so my niece will get one too and I've decided to put off the tote bags for her and DD and DIL for later--maybe Valetine's day. took a whole lot off my plate! And I love the idea of giving parts of a project and promise to finish later.

I never make gifts for Christmas, seems like the recipient never appreciates them. However, I do make items for my home to change my decor, I find joy in that instead of the same old pillows, table runners, etc. Today I'm finishing a tree skirt and embroidering some napkins.

I'm on the Friends of the Library and choose one smallish item to make each year for our library staff. There are 10-15 people on the staff, so I start in summer usually. I make a few "test" items and get a sort of assembly line going, so that I end up with a few extra to give to family or friends. This year it was glasses cases, but previous years it's been potholders, mug rugs, key fobs. I never plan to give big quilted items at Christmas - it's too stressful. If I make something that I think someone would like, I give it away whenever it's made.

I started on Labor Day one year with the goal of a heavy corderoy shirt for each of 4 newphews. I got it done but was so stressed out that I have never done anything like that again. The boys had outgrown them in no time.

I'm making a throw for some friends but I did not do elaborate piecing. (just strips). I'll make a judgement call this wknd about the quiltinquilting.Its for their summer travel trailer so I was thinking about trying to fmq the 50 states. But if not I'll just walking foot some straight lines

Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel--table toppers (two pieced and 2 from panels) ready to go onto the long arm---will load together and make it quicker. Plan to machine bind with a faux flange on all 4--then just have a large lap quilt to finish and quilt--it's done except for adding the fused applique motif--and quilting/finish. So once again I will finish up and get into the mail in time. This is year for extended family so next year they will not get handmade.

I am not crazy about Christmas gift giving in general. I do like to sew for my Mom, but only if I have enough time to complete it without anxiety. Otherwise I can always find her something at Macy’s and finish the handmade project later.