Well, I went to the sewing room to cut out the pieces for the Cabin Fever March BOM, and never even got near the pattern directions which had been printed earlier in the day.

I just finished up going through my stash of novelty fabrics and have accomplished quite a bit. All of the pieces for the autism puzzle quilt have been cut and pinned in sections. I cut 4 1/2 inch and 6 1/2 inch squares for two different types of I Spy Quilts. Then I went in to a roll of 18 fat quarters from Jeri's Quilt Patch and cut strips and partially sewed
blocks for a quilt I saw in the posting today.

What do you use to keep track of your projects? I used jelly roll pans and even a cardboard tray to place pieces of leftovers cut in strips or squares for the stash boxes.

This time, I put the direction sheets in with the cut pieces.

Well, I considered the I Spy Quilts parital UFO's as I had been collecting
fabric for a handful of years. I also added two new projects. Boy,
it's a good thing that everything is from my stash.......(which doesn't even show any dents :D :D :D )

Tomorrow, I will have to do some housework and get my clothes ready for return to work. All of this will be a shock to my system!!

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan

Sounds like lots of fun:) Can't wait to see them when you get further along:)

I put all my cut pieces and partially pieced pieces in shoe boxes with labels. For smaller quilts I use my kids shoe boxes. Works great for me because they stack well.

Lynette

I put my partially cut pieces and blocks in a new Pizza Box.

How do you get the pizza boxes?
Sharon

I just go to my Local Pizza Dealer and tell him what I will be using it for, and they gave me 3.

I have these really nice clear plastic boxes that my embroidery thread came in, One I emptied by using the thread, as I get more pegs for my board to hang them, I empty more and more, I think I have 7 of them. The stack really well and have handles on them.

Cardboard boxes that look like filing boxes but aren't. They were designed for shipping wine and are good and strong. I will wash and press the fabric first, keep a copy of the pattern I am using in the box along with thread I might have bought for the quilt, and as the mood hits me, I will work through the project, first cutting and doing some piecing, and as the quilt progresses, scraps are stored in the box too. As pieces are cut, I usually store them in gallon or quart size zip lock bags that are kept in the same box. When the top is done, I store the back I have chosen for it in the same box with the completed top and wait for me to get the energy to pin and quilt the whole thing.

Unassigned fabrics (stash) is kept in those plastic crates with the hinged tops that stack so nice that I get down at Costco.

tim in san jose

All pices for each are put in the extra...extra large...zip plastic bags. I can line them up pile them up...can see them....I throw them all into a big basket. Smaller of course for wall hangings :D The extra fabric goes in also :D

I do it like Ruth...the zip lock bags work great..they lay in a basket right beside my ironing board to remind me of how excited I am to start all those projects.. does that make them PIGS or does the zippie change them to PIZLB??

How do I store my WIPs? Large plastic zipper bags; small boxes; and I just found some wonderful clear smaller totes at Wally World that will hold all the fabric and pattern for a quilt. I want to get more of these.... :-) :-)

I'm a pizza box girl myself. I have no room in my tiny closet for anything more than my machine, thread, extra fabric (when I finally start getting some) and other accessories. Once I start cutting into the fabric, it goes with the pattern and any hints or whatever I may have, drawings and stuff, goes into a pizza box under my bed. I can store 15 under there at once and I only have a couple projects that are in the WIP stage, so it works for me. Gives me a chance every morning to check my projects and see how far I've come..or as incentive to start sitting on my butt and sewing!

I have a shelving unit in my sewing room that is all cubby holes, like a foot square each. I have 4 projects that I am actively working on so I have the materials and completed blocks for each in it's own cubby. I keep the scraps there together until they are no longer possibly needed and then they go into other cubbies by color.

I always keep the door closed so that no odors, especially cooking odors, get into the fabrics.

What I was about to say, and got distracted by the storage of materials, is that I get distracted too. I went up last night to do some piecing, looked at my cubbie of books, and got out some old magazines, one from 1974, and started looking through them. There are some nice, old fashioned applique patterns in there. I also looked at a stained glass pattern book and thought how great some of them would be made into a quilt or wall hanging... I didn't get any sewing done.

I've got a cubby hole cupboard with little baskets and the WIPs go one to a basket; Some of the baskets have FQs in as well, they're not all WIPS! :wink:

K x

I only let myself work on 2 projects at once. So I have them in 2 neat stacks on the end of the cutting table. I have a 3 drawer rolling tote with the next 3 projects to be done- 1 to a drawer, fabric and pattern. Nothing done to them, just ready to move up a drawer. Won't let myself work on them until the 2 in process are finished. Prevents creating wips.

I have totes 9 with fabric, 2 smaller ones with scraps and then the drawers of fat quarters in dresser.

wow barb, that's impressive, such self-control! where do I get some?!

K x

I, also am the pizza box type. They keep ALL your fabric, blocks AND the pattern flat and you don't loose pieces. I do keep the paper parts in a gallon zip bag in the box. Makes it really easy to take my project to quilting day with the gals. :lol:

K3N,

I absolutely adore your sewing machine (pillow?) on top of the storage for your fabric. Is that appliqued on or machine embroidery?

I would love something like that. I just love it. Makes me want to make one!

Melissa

I'm glad to hear that the rest of you get distracted, too. I thought maybe I just had a really short attention span!

Melissa, It's a sewing machine cover, if you PM me your email address I can send you the details...

K x

I keep ongoing projects together in the big square white craft boxes, sold at Walmart. It's perfect to stack on a shelf or table. They look like the Ikea storage boxes. Also the cake carries are great for keeping projects and toting places. I got that tip from Bonnie Hunter's blog. When I first bought one at Walmart it was $4.79 before Christmas. Now the price is $6.59!
:shock: :shock:

http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2008/...n-retreat.html

I collect fabrics with different projects in mind. I am at my best, when I take fabrics to store with me to coordinate. They stay in bundles with strip scraps tied around them until I get to cutting stage.
I keep the rectangular boxes from wal-mart that 24 sodas come in, and I also have some pizza boxes. they will be better for holding large blocks. Once something is cut, it goes into one of these rectangular boxes that is labeled on at least two sides. I finally have my sewing room organized so that to see fabrics, all I have to do is pull back curtains or look on racks in closet. All projects are in the same cabinet. All tools are in 'parts' drawers or on my pegboard or in a 3 drawer cabinet with casters. Hubby may call it a cave, but I can find and name every rock in there!!! :wink:

ksusan, melissa was telling you she liked your sewing m. pillow. Thinking, I will go look again, bc I don't remember a pillow...LOL...the picture is sideways on my monitor. :shock: Who knew?
I think the color on my monitor is all wonky cause everybody sees things that I can't. I tried to make picture brighter, but monitor is getting old. I am not complaining though! :wink: :D

Well, today I intended to play with my sewing machine, BUT took one look at my room and decided I couldn't relax until the room was cleaned up.

I've been working on this off and on and had gone through my stash closet on Friday. Gulp, did I ever "find" fabric...... I have been refolding and organizing my stash and projects. I also came across some magazine articles/patterns that were of interest. Last of all, I got a bunch of orphan blocks together and unsewed them tonight while watching TV with DH. ( I will recut and repurpose some 1/2 square triangles with some other fabrics for more contrast as the fabric is delightful.)

DH goes out of town for a few hours tomorrow and I will sew to my heart's content in a more organized room. Getting rid of the clutter has lifted several pounds of depression from my shoulders :D :D

I like the cake carrier idea. I had used an open 9-13 inch basket for supplies when I packed my sewing machine unit. However, I'll gladly
switch to the cake carrier if it fits into my accessory bag. One more
messy situation avoided :)

Thanks to everyone who has shared ideas and offered suggestions.
You are dear friends who share my passion for quilting!

I am glad to hear that somebody has to straighten before they can relax to sew. I can 'make' a mess, but not start with one. It's the mess that distracts me. Clean makes me feel so good, I get my wheels on and can go then. I always said I feel the way my house looks. I am not an-eat-off-the-floor kind of person, but there's got to be some method to my madness! :wink:
P.S. Since we are talking about distractions, I am famous for going along on a quilting project and just getting an itch to cut out an outfit for grandbaby, or a tote bag, or gown for grandbaby, or a pillow for her bunny, or a doll quilt, or help her make a gift for her mommy.....it's not that i am not sewing, i am just not getting the quilting done as fast as I would like, for all the other things calling to me. She's such a doll, nana wants to make her everything. We do it together and have so much fun! :D

[quote=ksusan]Well, I went to the sewing room to cut out the pieces for the Cabin Fever March BOM, and never even got near the pattern directions which had been printed earlier in the day.

I just finished up going through my stash of novelty fabrics and have accomplished quite a bit. All of the pieces for the autism puzzle quilt have been cut and pinned in sections.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you have the pattern for the autism quilt. Is there a free one available? Or is it something that can be strip cut?

SORRY ABOUT THIS, BUT I OBVIOUSLY DID SOMETHING WRONG. I WAS TRYING TO DELETE SOME OF KSUSAN'S MESSAGE SO IT WOULDN'T TAKE UP SO MUCH SPACE.

I have an old chair by my desk with projects to do and my current project or those waiting to be quilted. I have a box for the mystery quilt. My sis got me one of those cases on wheels with 3 smaller cases inside. I can use those for different projects. I have a quilt bag for the BOM and notebook I am doing through my LQS.

BellaBoo, Thank You. You solved my problem. Just yesterday i was shopping trying to find something to transport my hand embroidery projects in. I love the cake pan idea and even betterI already have one.
Great idea.

Thanks BellaBoo. I have those cake takers coming out the wazoo. Will transer them to the sewing room. And when I'm at WalMart I'll pick up what's there. Now I need a BIG tote. :lol:

Distracted? Me? ALL the time, Roy is calling me, or it's time for a meal, or I can't stand the little threads, etc, so I have to stop and clean up. I KNOW I have a fabric that will complement whatever I'm working on if I can just pull open one more box, lid, or drawer...my mom and dad missed the boat on names, mine should have 'distraction' in it. :roll:

I use trays to hold quilt blocks I'm piecing. Pattern on top and another tray on top so I can keep any dust ( :shock: ) off it while I'm working. I also use the mailing boxes that different photo albums have come in for storage on long term projects, AND pizza boxes for the smaller WIPs.

Speaking of which, I have a twin size for my great nephew to sandwich and quilt and the fabric to piece a twin size for my great niece...........what am I doing sitting here at the putor???
Hugs,
Sharon

RESPONSE TO GAIL G:

Sorry for the delayed response regarding the puzzle quilt. Bugsmom posted on 2-7-09 with the 2nd puzzle quilt. She graciously offered the sizes of the strips on page one. I tracked this down this afternoon, but had to really search.

I cut the following strips: two (2 inch squares); one (2.0 by 3.5 inch)
for the center; two (2.75 by 6.5 inch) for outer strips

Bugsmom used a real good contrast in colors and the designs of the fabrics did not overpower the overall appearance of a puzzle. Please review her work because it is right on target.

Have fun, Gail G. and many thanks to Bugsmom for her sharing!!!

I viewed the cake carriers at Wally World today. What a great idea :D

My tote will handle a smaller size so I purchased two Rubbermaid rectangular boxes (2 pack) for $3.62 plus tax. I've just stashed them in the tote and will transfer the basics to one before I go to guild meeting.

This solves the problem of everything being dumped when the tote is attached vertically to the sewing machine tote handle.

And--my DH did not even comment on my purchase on more containers!
Get that red pen out as this is a day to remember :oops: :oops: :oops:

I have to say I should wear a tiara for all the kept quilting projects in containers!:)I have and love the 14" clear plastic containers you find at stores like JoAnne's that have the handle to carry...I had dh make a shelf for them to fit on individually and there is where I keep my BOM's and such....label the front. I also picked up at Wally world the less then $1 shoe box plastic containers w/lids for those collecting projects. I also, have baskets too for 'going to do' projects. Does this give you a starting clue?:0)I am the keeper of plastic project containers....I can crown anyone else that needs to hold their own court w/their quilting wand and the need to deem themselves a tiara also...LOL Skeat

Good Morning,
Like a lot of you I do use large zip lock bags and post it notes. I have a dry earase board to remind me the goals of the month. I have used baskets and boxes. I seperate and hang large notes that say ,Christmas, rail fence ect.
I have written before, I usaually have at least 4 or 5 going at I time. I have one planned design, always working on scraps and cutting to the size I like best ,one on the table to be tied and then usally one long process block oh, and alway one strip block. For me I love bow tie blocks and they take longer to put together. I do a little of each project every time I sew. The board keeps me on tract of what Is going on. It is also good for my back,you cut, press , and hand tie. It keeps me moving
Sorry as always I got long winded,yes I am a yakker,Not always a good thing! Happy sewing!

well, christina, if you've seen my posts, LOL...I'm a yakker too! Can't help it, it runs in my family. not my kids though,...and definitely not my hubby.
you know how that goes...a yakker hooks up with a non-yakker and then seeks other yakkers to yak with cause mate doesn't yak. :wink:

like everyone else, i have too many ufo's, and just looking at them at one time makes me feel so guilty i run and hide. so.....i put all the pieces and parts for each one into it's own zipper bag(s) as many of you do, then i choose one with my eyes closed, and pin it my bulletin board, right across from my sewing machine. there it hangs, looking me straight in the face until i do something with it. i work on it, then put it right back, work, back,work, back. when it's done, i choose another.

butterflywing wrote:
like everyone else, i have too many ufo's, and just looking at them at one time makes me feel so guilty i run and hide. so.....i put all the pieces and parts for each one into it's own zipper bag(s) as many of you do, then i choose one with my eyes closed, and pin it my bulletin board, right across from my sewing machine. there it hangs, looking me straight in the face until i do something with it. i work on it, then put it right back, work, back,work, back. when it's done, i choose another.

I just love to read how each person deals with their 'quilting madness'. I hop from project to project. Usually what takes me away...(glancing around)...is I get a little 'stuck'..then bored...have to go...um...ruminate on it....meanwhile, I usually get drawn to something else...and yes, the guilt factor is there...block it out with present project...but, life in general, interrupts me a lot!!!
My whole family on dad's side is like that. My gma N. says, just do about five projects purposely,...and rotate so you don't burn out. So now have two machines set up...probably do regular sewing on one, and quilting on other and hop, hop, hop...like a true bunny-trail-er! :wink: