How do you decide which project to start next? I have lots of things I want to do but nothing I absolutely have to do. I don't particularly like starting new projects. My DD would like a quilt for GD's "big girl" bed so I could start that.

How do you decide?

That is a good question!! I have been asking myself the very same thing. I have no deadlines to meet and no gifts to make and cannot make up my mind what project to do next. And I am 3 quilts ahead for my wounded warriors! On the plus side, I am finishing some UFOs while I think about it!!

I have made up my mind to decide something today!...As soon as I get back from church!

I'm not much help, I just listen to the project that "calls" me the loudest==

Unfortunately I don't have that problem. Starting new projects is one of the most exciting parts of quilting for me. If I have no deadline my problem is deciding which project to finish.

What's on the most urgent list!

Is there a deadline? If it's a gift for a certain date, that gets worked on first.

If it's for a holiday that's coming soon, next.

If it's for me, DEAD LAST!

My Grandson get top priority too! I'm currently making a alphabet quilt for his room, a Easter bunny quilt, a train quilt, he loves trains.

Each day when I go to my studio, I set a schedule for myself. I give myself time to work on everything that I have going, with the urgent list top priority.

I have no problem starting new projects...I always have a long list of "next" quilts I want to make...maybe as you see quilts you like, make a list and you can work from that. I also have a bin of patterns that I really want to make (and many other patterns that aren't in that bin at this time)...I just don't have enough time to ever get done everything I would like to make.

Wow...I wish I was in your position! lol...I have so many projects in various stages that my question is...Which project do I want to finish this year! LOL

baby quilts one for 3 yr old and one coming in novenber these are great grand babies did not kniw about the 3 yr old untill a few months ago so he is first then the other one that will be a panel with cars and fleese back the other is gurdian angles pp 8 of them for the top

I have a notebook titled "What I Want to Make Next" with patterns in plastic sleeves. I keep moving the pages forward and backwards. At least it makes me feel like I have a plan and a method to my madness

Now there is an idea and a good one!

I never know what I want to do next either. I get stuck on one thing till I get tired of it and then move onto something else. Usually something I see inspires me, which is the wonderful thing about quilting and sewing projects.

I also use small deadlines, such as birthdays coming up to get started on something.

I sit down the night before and decide what I want to start, sometimes pull fabric for the project, and then go to bed.

The next day I get up, get online, spend hours doing nothing constructive, go out to eat, come home, read, design tomorrow's project, then go to bed.

The third day I do it all over again.

Beginning to realize, since the advent of QB in my life, I'm not a quilter, I'm a procrastinator. :?

Jan in VA

Sometimes projects "happen" to me - people get married, have babies, buy their first new home. These are not planned projects. I've also taken a few online classes so therefore the project was decided on the class (which was based on a technique I wanted to learn).

*MY* projects - I see something I like and I make it. Inspiration comes from everywhere, LQS, magazines, this board of course, nature, quilt shows, TV ... whatever. Like everyone else,

I've got patterns and fabric that I've not yet used but I'm confident that they'll all be paired up into a quilt some day.

That's never a problem--I have so many to choose from. It depends on how complicated and time-consuming I want it to be. And whether I have everything I need to make that particular project.

That is a hard question, I have three things going right now, two BOM's, a brown and pink quilt and a tube quilt that needs finishing touches. Plus I want to make the Hoopsisters Old Glory project.
I don't think I answered your question, but it is hard to stay focused, but I can say I usually always finish my projects, unless I just don't like them.
I guess, do what you will enjoy.

:lol: I'm afraid QB is going to do that to me too.

I accepted the March UFO challenge. While looking for something to finish, I found several more that needed attention. I don't know why I stopped on them to begin with. I'm thinking that this March challenge will end in the year 2020, provided I start nothing else in between. Not likely.

DogHouseMom---You mentioned an online class. I'm presuming it was a quilting class. If so, how could I find one? Am interested. Thanks. Marge L.

what a great idea! I think I'll start mine.

I do the exact same thing. lol.

Thank you for your ideas. I do have a notebook but nothing pressing on the list. I started the one for my GD which of course wasn't on the list. lol

I used to think that everything I made had to be for someone or something specific. I finally decided to just start making things that make my heart go pitter patter. :)

Very wise.

I have my list in date needed order. I just finished one for a very patriotic friend who will be having surgery soon. Then I have two babies to make one for. Last on my list is one for my daughter, made of brocade fabric. Then, I still have two neices, one nephew, and a great nephew who would love a quilt. And the list goes on.

Well, I have made a vow with myself not to start anything until the UFO's are finished and then I went on a shop hop on Saturday and bought a wool candle mat pattern and the wool and started it last night, a pattern for another quilt and a pattern for an iron tote. This is an addicting hobby!! There is always more to do and see!!
Sew many quilts, Sew little time!!!

I choose whatever strikes my fancy--I still have some UFO's to complete but have an 'order' for a quilt for my stepgranddaughter....

I'm a bit like DogHouseMom - I see it - I like it - I make it ! So, whatever tickles my fancy at the time, unless it is something special someone has asked for - right now I have a quite a list of wishes to finish - or start - they are in different phases of the projects.

I usually have some fabric that I can't wait to use. So, I get it out and start cutting.

I am working on a really cute paper pieced quilt for my GD big girl bed. The pattern it in the march/april 2008 issue of quiltmaker. It is a beautiful bow quilt.

I just go thru my stash of magazines and see what strikes my fancy.

I go with a pattern I like and as I am making it, it seems to call out a certain persons name and that is who it goes to. -- J.

I alternate. I make a charity quilt then I make something for me. Most of the time I give those away too. I am finishing a quilt of valor right now. I go to a quilt retreat weekend after next and that one will be for me. I am really excited about it because I picked out the fabric that I liked for my home. I very rarely do that.

My problem isn't starting. Long before I finish a project, the next one is calling to me pretty insistently. Then I have to force myself to finish the one I'm working on. I have a stack of quilt tops waiting to be quilted right now.

I am really good at starting projects it is the finishing I have a problem with!

Same here. Youngest GS going into big bed this summer. Then I got bored with that and started one for a friend we'll be visiting this summer. GS's had 50 stars. He is special but now I'm wondering if he's that special. After these two I'm going to work on my Vincent Vangogh wall hanging. I bought the fabric a couple of years ago and something always seems to get ahead of it, so next one is for me!

Whichever yells the loudest.

Quilt ideas seem to endlessly float through my mind :) The ones I'm planning are for DH, family and charity. I put a list of the quilts in order so that I don't forget who asked first and also to keep priorities in order :)

Cat, I just saw your blog. It's so cute. Who did all those wonderful graphics?

I find that I get way too many ideas from this board! Stained glass & paper piecing are beginning to knock on my door! LOL I even looked twice at "hand quilting", after which I took an aspirin and laid down! LOL I don't feel delusional anymore so I guess it must have worked. One I have been thinking about for years is a photo quilt, not the one with a picture you print off and insert into a quilt block but one of those you use little itty bitty pieces, make a graph and stich them on. Then you stand back about 10 feet and "viola" you see the picture! I have the perfect picture, just don't know if I have the talent! Maybe someday....

If I want to start something new I just go to my 105+UFO's and rummage...this will new to me..my memory is kinda bad!!
and it IS fun

i try to keep a couple of baby quilts on hand....for boys and girls, in case there is a shower or i don't have time when the new g/child comes along. now that my g/kids are marriageable age, i am thinking i should keep a couple for the big beds on hand, also! hate the pressure of not being able to make a 'nice' one and have to throw together a quickie for someone dear! i also keep lap size tops and other size tops on hand, so they are ready to quilt up.
sometimes i just see some of my stash and get in the mood to use the fabric.