People say this or that quilt is "on their list".Do
you all keep a written list or ? I sure need a system,
but hate to start another notebook of lists.Don't knw how to do that on my MacBook. There are pics of quilts etc ,notes saved here & there....it's a mess.Do you have a system to keep notes & pics together?

Absolutely no system but do have scraps of papers all over the place!

No system here either. I think that I will start from scratch. First I will make a list of my UFO's and work from there.

No system here, either!

nope and I think I've planned and then forgotten dozens of projects.

go with my instinct in that moment...

I stuck all of my scraps of paper in a notebook!! Some day I will transfer the info onto the pages of the notebook, in some kind of order!! Hopefully!!

My system is a focal fabric and then I roll with it! No set project or pattern until I find just one piece of fabric I like then I look for a pattern. Sometimes I will see a pattern and then find the focal fabric and go. It all depends on how the fabric "talks" to me.

No system, I print some patterns, email some to myself and continue to find more I would love to make. I look back through my patterns and they all seem new again and OH so pretty and interesting.

I copy the picture of quilts I like and paste them in a word document labeled Quilts in my computer. Then when I need inspiration I go through that document. I even talk picture of quilts at shows, shops, etc. and add them to this document.

the final product of my quilts never look like the blue print I created...they are only used as guides during the project. After that, they are trashed.

I have pictures and patterns, and ideas in files on the computer, not to mention all of the paper copies and notes LOL Be organized? that takes the fun out of the hunt :D:D:D

I have labeled folders on my Mac laptop - quilts, projects, blocks, ideas

As I see something I like, I save it to app. folder

But don't ask me to find anything... LOL

I put some patterns in a folder labled quilts to make. I also keep zip-lock bags with my cut out fabrics that I have planned for scrap quilts together with a picture or pattern. When the bag gets too full to close, I start sewing them together.

I've done that too. I finally put all the info in a text document on the computer, right on my desktop, and it was easy to find.

I have a 3 ring binder that I have filled with page protectors that I slip patterns either purchased, or printed off the internet into. Then when I need my next project, I sit down with the binder and re-arrange the patterns until one demands to be in the front of the book. Then I head to the LQS to get fabric for it, see a pattern I like even better and make it instead LOL

Sorcha

I have a few folders saved on my computer called QuiltingDreams. I put notes pictures etc in there. For my stuff I Keep a sketch pad and use colored pencils and a good ole' ruler. Never be afraid to trust yourself and your creativity. I say that because I seem to have ALOT of stuff but don't utilize it well. My resolution for this year is to go thru my stash and supplies and inspect each and every thing. Will it help me or is it too much trouble? I spent good money on it at one point & time...My room is overflowing and I want so badly to be organized but can't part with my fabric and things that seem to take up so much room. At LEAST one quilt a month to the finished stage is my goal for myself this year.

My system???? Sticky notes.

Yeah, it's all in my brain somewhere :roll: :lol:

Shoot, I'm so easily distracted you just haven't an idea of the mess I have. Monkey see and plays, and sees and plays!

I don't have a very solid system. I have a notebook of graph paper where I draw out any plan that I want to do, in that, I calculate dimensions, yardage, pieces and blocks require, etc. I usually work in that book when I am actually planning a quilt, have fabrics and an idea of what I want to do. When I know I want to group certain fabrics together for a quilt, but don't yet have a pattern, I put those fabrics in a zippered plastic bag that sheet sets come in. When I DO have a pattern decided, but just not started yet, I will put the pattern or my notes in the bag with the fabric. I save links, download "some day" patterns and save pictures and keep them all in a folder on my computer.

Sometimes I just grab fabrics and go with the flow.

no system.
I have an idea of about 5 projects I want to work on, sorta got an order in my head but then I'm a free spirit and if I'm not in the mood to work on something I'm not gonna. lol
I do have an notebook that I keep notes for all my crafting in just because I forget so easily my projects....lol

I have a folder on my computer of ideas, and a couple of binders of ideas.

When I buy fabric for an idea, I will print out or cut out the idea or pattern and put it with that fabric in one of my many bins.

My goal for 2011 is to actually make some of the "ideas" that are in my bins and clear them out somewhat.

It's not really a system - but I have a feeling that will change this year as I work through what I have.

I have a folder, but no real system!

A system???!
Do you remember that sign: "A clean desk is the sign of a sick mind"? Well............ :lol: :wink:

Jan in VA

I have a large 3-ring binder where I keep quilt pictures and patterns of quilts that I like and one day want to do...if you can call that a system.

I keep mine in a notebook in sheet protectors. I usually get my projects lined up for a season at a time (winter, spring, etc.) and put the pattern and fabrics together on a shelf. In my notebook I also keep all kinds of information that I see online, in magazines, or anywhere else that I think I might use later. And yes, I do keep a list in my sewing machine drawer of projects I'd like to do each year, including any UFOs.

Opened an envelope recently and inside were carefully cut tiny parts for houses from some quilt I was going to make. Can't remember any more about it. Oh well.

No system for me either. You should see how many pages I have bookmarked from this board!

No when the bug hits me I just go with it!!

No

Good ? bought a little white board and wrote down all of my recent Christmas sewing gifts. Have my major UFO's in a large plastic tote. Otherwise my books are very organized and most of my mags, Large amounts of fabric semi organized but that is what I do every year need updating. But stuff happens and right after Christmas sewing need to get after it going to redo reds and main table but is such happy work!

I have a Quilting Folder on my laptop which contains specific folders like: Project Ideas, Patterns, Tips, etc. These contain other folders like: Table Toppers/Runners, Wallhangings, Lap Quilts, Holidays, Christmas, etc. The ones I am really interested in making, I print out and keep those in page protectors in huge binders.

I keep a magazine rack in the sewing room. There are folders in it for everything from curtains - to kids clothing - to quilts. As I print/cut out an idea - it gets slipped into the back slot until I have the time ( - or there's no more room! ) - & then sort them into the folders. Once they are full - out comes the 3 hole punch. There's now 2 shelves full of 3 ring binders. The labels on the spines make finding what category I need very simple - & having presorted into folders makes adding to them easy.

I'm as flighty as can be about what quilt is next....I am forever finding quilts I want to try until the next quilt I see catches my fancy. I'm not sure how I could make a list of quilts I intend to make since I'm not familiar with pattern names. I just know what I like when I see it.

I have 3-ring notebooks - run off copies of the ones I like an dfile them in alphabetical order in the notebooks. I also have a 3-hole punch - helps to make a neat page to file.

I use graph paper notebooks for sketches and a regular school composition book to paste or staple pictures of quilts that interest me.

Well, I couldn't keep track of two notebooks, but I do keep all my quilting stuff in a notebook of graph paper. I make sure to write down measurements (I do all my math in it anyway) and I to keep a "wish list" on the inside of the front cover of the notebook. When I get done with something, I cross it off. I'm already well into two or three of my list for 2011!

Fun topic! Current ufo's are organized in bins...but that's about it!