In over my head with quilts!
 

I think i am in over my head in quilts right now... I have 3 on the go, one purple one cut out to sew and 4 halloween throws to dooo... somehow i don't think that is all of them............ How do I get a routine going ??? any advise?

Assembly line sewing ... working on one quilt at a time!

So take one of the PhDs and and sew a way.

When you need a break, cut out your other quilt(s) and have them kitted and ready to go when you are done Mr. Purple!

Take a deep breath, take a sip of wine, and dive into the nearest heap of fabric. If you finish your quilt before your finish your wine you'll be fine. Otherwise be prepared to like wonky style :)

I totally finish one before I start another. I have no partly finished quilts and this is what works for me.

You sound like I do sometimes and when I sound like that, I don't get anything done. I usually get frustrated and end up leaving my sewing room. I have to put everything away and work on only ONE project at a time in order to be productive. I'm learning that right now. I haven't sewn in over a month. I was where you are and had to close up my room and walk away and take a break. Yesterday was the first time I actually went in there and ironed and cut for my Craftsy free Sept. BOM. I don't know what I'm going to do after I make my two blocks. I have to make a baby quilt and this is a present and has me all flustered because I don't work well under pressure, but I have to get in there and start on it. I was doing fine until my niece announced she was pregnant and her mom (my sister) made all the baby blankets for her kids until she died and now I need to step in and do it and I'm feeling no confidence, comparing myself to my older and wiser sister who quilted years more than me. But, my niece won't care if it's not perfect. And I think I do a pretty good job, but still, I'm kind of freaking out here knowing I'm stepping into some really big shoes. And it's only a baby blanket. My God. What is wrong with me? A whole month without quilting because of fear. I'm questioning my sanity right now. My niece will love having a baby blanket no matter what, just to have one is all she wants. This is her first baby and she didn't think she'd get a baby blanket since her mom died until I chimed in and said I'd do it, so why am I so lacking in confidence? Boy, am I writing in my diary? Oops! Just had to let this out, I guess. See where I am coming from?

Jeanne, I can sympathize. I call myself quilter, though I don't *really* believe it! I gave one once, and was apologizing. Crazy! It was beautiful, it was. But the recipient stopped me, and said, "I can't quilt. I could never do it. It is perfect" It was a nice moment, and I try to remind myself of it.

Your thoughts/standards are out of proportion. Your niece will be thrilled with whatEVER you do!

((Jeanne))

Make a list of the projects that you have underway. For each project, list each stept that still needs to be completed: make blocks (maybe number of blocks left to be made), create rows, add borders, make quilt back, sandwich and baste, quilt. Once you have your list organized like this, you can decide which step of which project you feel like tackling based on the time you have available.

If you include the number of blocks that need to be completd, you can cross off the old number and write in the new number each time you complete some. You can make the list as detailed as you want. For examle, you could break 'add borders' down into cut borders, attach borders.

roflol-I have about 30 projects at varying stages.I just piece in spurts,quilt in spurts and bind in spurts without ever finishing the piles of any of them.

Oh gee, I'm no help. I always have several projects going at the same time. Unless I am making one that has to be finished by a certain day I just work on what I want.

Shirley, I would pick the quilt that is closest to being done and finish that one first. Then move on to the next one which will be easiest to complete and so on. Once you start working on one, and see actual progress, I think you'll be inspired and get them done. I usually work on several projects at once myself. It's just how I like to do it. I have 2 quilt tops waiting to be sandwiched and quilted and am putting together a third one now. However, the hold-up isn't actually me this time--I had to reorder batting and am waiting for it to arrive :). Good excuse anyway. Good luck, we've all been there!

Jeanne, your niece will be thrilled with the baby blanket. Glad venting made you feel better; sometimes that's just what we need.

I love the Nike slogan: "Just Do It". I find that taking that first step is usually all the motivation I need. It's forcing that first step that's the hardest. Also, remember "baby steps". Thinking about all that's left to do can be overwhelming. As Lakekids suggested, just take one step at a time. You'll get there. I also have 3 large quilts in various stages that I need to get to work on.

Jeanne ~ So sorry you lost your sister so young! I know that you will make a lovely quilt to continue the wonderful tradition she started.

what you might be doing is juggling - trying to keep the 3 in the air while working on the 4th. i would get so confused that i would end up sewing the wrong things together. i finish one top before i can go to another. whew! you make me tired just talking about what you are up to!

jeanne...when i hesitate to start a project, i ask myself what is the worst that can happen? i ask that with each step of the process if i have to. perhaps the worse that can happen is that you cut something wrong. well...there is more fabric in the world. what is the worse that can happen when you present the quilt to your neice? well...she could drop it in the mud and stomp on it. this is probably the worst-case scenario. but, if she has any manners at all, she will be very happy and thank you profusely. what is the worst that can happen?

My biggest problem is quilting the stinkers. I sew the tops, sandwich the things and then get undecisive on how I want to quilt. I have a fan quilt going where I decided to quilt in circles of the fan overlapping as I go. This has to be drawn in. It's half done. I had another I sewed on my treadle and every thing I tried to quilt with an electric machine, it screwed up. So I tied the thing . . . finally.

I also have a scrap quilt done with 3 inc blocks and triangles. I'm still trying to figure out how to quilt.

Good luck.

When you find a solution, please let me know. I get "behinder" every day!

If I don't have calendar deadlines, I usually pick the one my sister is yapping about.

Right now I have a needle case for the swap, that is nearly finished, a basket quilt that has 3 blocks done (out of 45) about 7 Halloween quilts kitted, 1 underway, and 4 waiting to go to the LA'er.

Yes, I'm trying to clear out my Halloween stash.

I limit myself to two on separate machines at once. Just stay with them until they are done. Watch the calendar to keep an idea of what needs to be done first. If you don't do 4 Halloween ones tihs year, they fabric won't spoil.

Jeanne, your quilts are very nice. If you haven't chosen your nieces's fabrics yet, find an adorable baby fabric for the feature. Everyone will oh and ah over that. You can do it. I'm doing a log cabin style only the logs are all on two sides with a 5 1/2 feature fabric for the start. It's a cute pattern, though I messed it up adding an extra strip, but only I and my oldest daughter will notice. As Nike says, just do it.

I always swap in between quilts, works well for me. I get bored but then I don't have deadlines so I'm not bothered by time. I would do the one your most excited about first and go from there. For example were doing a birthday quilt for our guild I was getting bored with it til I saw a cupcake pantograph now I'm ready to finish it so I can quilt it. I'm intimidated by my bear claw quilt so I only have 2 of the 20 blocks done, it's for our bed so I think I'll get really motivated when the cold hits!! Get excited and you'll find your inspiration!!

I can totally relate to this! I have several projects going right now; all in various stages of completion and it is overwhelming to think about :/ I have decided to follow some of the above advice and take it one project at a time starting with the one that only needs borders. Thankfully after piecing my tops go to my LAQ :)

I try to only do one at a time...I will buy new fabric for a project but do not start it until I get the other one done...except one...I took a class and still have one block to do...I don't like the last block that I need to do...I started it twice and ruin them both...one of these days I will finish that one.

Go shopping at your favorite fabric store and I am sure you will find some really cute fabric to fall in love with. Since it's only a small a quilt, maybe you can finish it before you fall in love w/something else! If you're near Portland, go to Fabric Depot!

A woman after my own heart! I don't think I'm capable of doing just one project at a time! I would need years of therapy for that! Look at it as sort of a assembly line sewing. You'll have several finished at near the same time! After I finished up 8 charity quilts and delivered them, it took me about 2 weeks to have 5-6?? more going and I've finished 2 of the tops. When I'm actually sewing, I'm only working on one at a time, but there's a few? projects neatly? organized in the sewing room so that I keep all the parts for each one together.

One quilt at a time and maybe get a helper to help you cut the patterns out ..

WOW, I can see I'm starting a bad habit. I have a quilt I need to assemble the blocks. They were embroidered by my 85 year old Aunt, who has alzheimers, and I have to put them together with sashing, borders, etc., then somehow get it quilted.

Then, I have an embroidered twin-size quilt, but this one I have to draw in the embroidery pattern using pencil drawings for models -- I hope I'll get this finished in my lifetime.LOL

Jeanette Frantz

I also have a problem, I have a list of about 20 quilts in some stage of completion. One I made the top in 2008 to be used as a picnic quilt - it is sandwiched and pined, but we haven't had a picnic yet. My problem is I love the creativeness of making the top, but I DO NOT enjoy the quilting, so I get that far and there they sit.

Do something easy first. For the baby quilt why not just use a large panel and sew borders on it. Just cross hatch it on your sewing machine....OR....knot it...and, one done!

Well ! ! !Jeanne, and I thought I wrote long posts! LOL I have so many quilts in different stages of development, I have lost count. People are giving me these things, and I just can't say no. I have 72 Dresden Plates that are almost ready to applique onto backgrounds and the circles are almost all turned with backing on. I have spent years thinking of how I will finish it off. Right now I'm thinking QSYG, with different flower prints on the back which are then seamed and folded over onto the front. Each Plate will be surrounded by a different flower pattern. I have several Pizza boxes of blocks from other people or that I made myself, that someday will make a quilt. My granddaughter's quilt even has her name on it. The thing that gets me going is Quilt Show. I have to get the class quilt finished, and then I have to decide which other ones I can work on. I need the pressure to get something done. The other things will get finished someday, if not by me, then by someone else. That's why I have each one in a "kit", so that anyone will be able to pick up that bag and finish it.

I wished I'd had done this earlier. I have so many in process that I have lost count.

ROFL!! This comment made me giggle! As for the UFOs, I usually have several going at one time myself. One super challenging pattern, one that I get bored with, one that is just plain fun to do, and several BOMs. And then one can't foget the super quickie projects and the by special request items. Oh wow! My fabric stash is gettin low and I really need to surf the web for inspiration patterns cuz I don't have ENOUGH UFOs right now! LOL!

Face it - quilting is like Lay's potato chips. You can't just make one at a time!

I have several projects cut out, but I do whatever I feel for that day. All will get done in time. Its a hobby, not a factory. Anyway-this is my thinking.

well I cut them all out.......... now to set the machine up again.. I willl be a permanent fixture to the table til I am done... Gonna just sew all the halloween throws together and hopefully the others will come together quickly.......... lol

Sounds like me.Sometimes I think ,if I buy the fabric and pattern and then think about it,the quilt fairy will come along and do it.That's the only explination I can think of for all the projects I have started.I even had to pile and stack a few things the other day to almost start a Christmas quilt I have had for a few years.I stopped myself,though.But not until my pile started to shift and something clicked and I said to myself,"So you don't have enough stated,just start something else."[quilt fairy theory]

I have projects in pizza boxes stacked up...But I do have a system. I just haven't figured it out yet. BUT I really do finish alot. I wish I could tell you how to do it but i do wish you luck

post pictures when you are done.... love to see them and enjoy your quilt making.. smile

Set aside at least 15 minutes a day that you devote to your hobby. For me piecing or quilting is relaxing and something I do for me. I do get loads more done during football season. :)

Organize all the pieces of the projects and put them into bags or clear boxes so you can see what's there. Make an inventory as you organize. Then prioritize your inventory. Which is the most important to do? What one is needed next? Which one do you really want to work on next? etc. Put a sticky note on the bag or boxes. Take out number one. Put the others away. Finish that project then move to #2. etc. The reason you use sticky notes is so that you can revise your priorities as needed. They are out of sight so you do not feel the burden every time you go into your space. Work on the one you've chose and enjoy! Life too short. This is supposed to be fun! Good luck

I have one in the frames that I am quilting ( I quilt by hand, so it is a slow process) and one that I am in the process of piecing. I will not start another until I have finished and removed the one in the frames and then placed the pieced one in the frames and have it ready to start quilting on. Then I will begin piecing the next one. Doing more than that at one time, and working a full time job, and caring for a house and garden is more than I want to commit to. It would just place a lot of stress on me, and I am determined that quilting will remain an enjoyable past time for me.

I guess people who machine quilt or send the tops out to be longarmed can move along at a quicker pace. I just feel good about doing the whole thing myself, so I have to live with the time factor. Either way, I think you will accomplish your goals if you prioritize which quilt should be finish first, then do it. Then take the next one and do it. On down the line. Good luck.

When it comes to quilting, I have QADD (Quilter's Attention Deficit Disorder). I work on one quilt for a while and then I see a new pattern that I just have to do and I start it. At any given time I have 12+ PHDs. I get bored if I work on the same thing for too long, so I just project hop. They eventually get finished, but I don't have a schedule---I work on what I want, when I want. I'm retired. I had too many project deadlines when I was working. This is my time. lol

I'm a multi-project person, too. I have one quilt in a frame I am hand quilting. Can't hand quilt 8 hrs a day, so I work on something else as well. I have a scrappy Birds in Air that I just sandwiched and think I will quilt on the machine. I stay with my mother 2 days a week, so I have a crib quilt I am hand quilting on a hoop which I keep at her house and work on there. We just had a Northcott show at my LQS and I found the fabric I wanted to a pattern I had bought - at 20% off. So that project has the fabric bought, but I won't start cutting till I finish one of the other quilts. I also have a stash I have been collecting for the Pick and Choose quilt which was in the Better Homes & Gardens American Patchwork & Quilting June 2009 issue. I think I will be cutting that one next. I bought the backing at that sale. I also purchased a beautiful rose fabric with 6 inch pink roses about 18 months ago. Saw it and knew my grandaughter would love it. I take it out and look at it every now and then, but the inspiration for the quilt is not coming. So three in progress, two patterns & fabric in hand, waiting to be done, and one in the mental planning stage. Not too bad, but I think I will stop there. I think most quilters have more than one project going at a time. I don't believe in the quilt fairy. I do believe in inspirational dreams and looking at lots of quilts. Thanks to everyone who posts pictures of their quilts here.

I can empathize. I think there are two kinds of quilters -- the kind who are really organized and pretty much complete one project before they start another -- and the kind (like me) who has far too many ufo's and a list of other quilts I want to start. I, too, get overwhelmed at times. I find it DOES help to get some of the projects out of sight while making progress on one or two others. "Out of sight, out of mind." Like you, I can get overwhelmed to such a degree that I can't do much of anything. But don't worry. It's just your creative juices working overtime. Quilting is a lovely way to spend your days, and those people on your gift list are very lucky.