I just finished the last quilt in my "to do"list," and I am playing with what to make next. I find this the hardest part of my quilting. Once I have made up my mind, then I just relax and sew.

How do you decide what to quilt next, if all your to-do projects are done? I have been looking at my stash. Should I select a fabric I like and then build around that. Should I look at patterns and select one I like and then look at my fabric?

I know there is no right and wrong way, but I seem a direction to go, and, other than stacks of fabric all around me, and pieces laid across my design wall, I just seem to be stumped.

What works best for you?

Whenever I see a quilt or pattern that intrugues me, I photo copy it and put it in my idea file. I have far to many things on the go right now and haven't had to look in it for ages.
-a 4PP to embroider and quilt
-Star quilt to sash and quilt
-Sampler to sash and quilt
-Bug jar to quilt before Christmas
Oh dear, I better get off the QB and get busy!

Never managed to finish my to do list..... It just keeps getting longer.....! LOL!

Okay, maybe that will work. I have admired the rail fence and log cabin patterns lately. Maybe I will go for one of them, and then start a file of more specific patterns that I like. Pattern first and then fabric...may work.

Thanks. I have been quilting 2 years, so I still consider myself a bit of a newbie.

Wow, I can't imagine ever finishing my to-do list... I add new ideas practically daily! lol

When I get caught up I clean my space. That usually brings to mind something I would like do make. Or just make a quick scrappy baby size to donate.

I can't imagine ever running out of ideas. I have a list that will take me 4 or 5 years to complete. Especially since I hand quilt. And that's just quilts. There are other things I want to make too, like pincusions, purses, curtains, and clothes.

The holidays are approaching quickly, maybe do a few gifts, table runners, place mats, bags, mug rugs, wall hangings, lap quilts.......oh dear...I better get busy!!!!

Oh, my ... if you finished the last quilt on your 'to-do' list ............... your list is way too short ........ :lol: <JK>

Take a look in the gallary pics ... maybe that will inspire something ... :D

How nice to be all caught up! I used to not have very many WISP's (works in slow progress). Sadly I have more than I'd like, so I am trying to finish them all, a very slow process. I think I might look at my fabrics and decide which one I'd like to make into a new project. Then look through books and patterns to find the "one" to match the fabric.

Here here!! I keep stashing projects to do and always have one in the wings!! lol

Than being said - I am inspired by patterns - but often never really follow them.

Not a problem, my to do list is so long I will never get to the end.

Congratulations on finishing everything on your to-do list!!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I have lots of UFO's and "want-to-do's", so I will be very busy until I am at least a hundred! ;)

I love your ticker, Kristen in ME!!!

I will be dealing with this question in about 23 years. I'm sure I have that many projects in the pipeline. HEAVY SIGH!

Maybe just walking away for a bit and coming into your sewing space with fresh eyes may give you a new direction.

How nice to be caught up. I usually have a dozen WIPs in my quilt studio but still, when I finish one, I begin thinking of my next.
That depends on what catches my eye recently in a book, magazine, on forums or among my many filed patterns. Sometimes I want to try something entirely new, and other times I want something quick and safe.
Sorry I can't help you decide.

Look at pictures, and fabrics until something just jumps out and says "pick me!" Often I start with patterns, but once in a while there will be a fabric that I just HAVE to do something with.

I agree, I have SO many projects on my 'to do list', I'm never stumped. Except, how much can I accomplish before I die.

I think part of my mind set comes from when I made most of my clothes, and I didn't have much money. My rule was that if I bought fabric, I had to use it before the next payday. (Teachers are paid once a month...) That meant that if I had a project, I had to finish it before I started the next one. (This was a self-imposed rule.)

I have gotten past part of the rule and have a pretty good stash. I had five quilts in my to-do list, and I guess I should have let myself think about the next project earlier.

I'm taking several of your suggestions...looking at patterns mainly. Tidying my room too, re-stacking my stash. Something should kick in soon, I hope. I have already "wasted three hours" thinking, and I have reserved the whole day for quilting. Hope I get started soon. :)

I always start with the pattern.

As a newbie "want-to-do"s are not anywhere in sight! **sigh** next year all me me me!

LOL. My projects are never done! I just keep adding more!

:mrgreen:

With the cost of material these days, you may want to start by going through your scraps and cutting them up into usable pieces and putting them into a simple quilt while you make up your mind on the next skill set you want to work with.

Then pick a pattern that forces you to work on that skill set and you will be back into the flow again!

Good luck!

I have a quilt to do for myself and a quilt that is a christmas gift, I have to select and finsh a quilt for a show next year and I have to do 3 challege pieces and a bom the Bom needs to be done by next week plus i have 3 charity quilts that have to be quilted by next week as well So Monday I will be seriously working in my studeo

Finish a "to do" list. Impossible. It is a growing entity with a life all its own and my bid to immortality. I can't die til I finish? Therefore, I can't die yet.

ali

I didn't know a To Do List ever got done :) It doesn't in my world :) It's fine tho because I am never bored!

I don't have a to-do list - reminds me of chores or homework. I have a wish list that I can dream about. Works better for me cause I know I'll never get everything done.

ooooohhhhhhhhhh to have such problems! LOL I'm like the others, have way toooo many WIPs to think I'll ever be finished

You mean there is an end to a to do list. Mine goes around the house about three times. I have several notebooks full of to do's.

I know you will find your next project, and I bet you will find more than one. LOL

I can always send you some of mine to finish! Haha

I did finally get going...started a small rail fence. I actually thought I had my own ideas for fabrics, and then I found another pattern I have it...where the fabric almost exactly matches what I did!! Oh well, at least I got started, and I do like it.

I may need to keep a few kits on hand for days like today when I couldn't get an idea to bloom!!

Same here.

I also consider myself as a newbie...i pick by the pattern and then the fabric..

I have no realy help as picking a pattern but I would like your help in learning how to finish my "to-do" quilt list. I really think its longer than Santa's naughty or nice list.

Are you looking to make another quilt, or something decorative like wall hanging, with holidays coming you could make some decorations for your house maybe. Good Luck.

OMG that is what i have been doing wrong, i didn't know you were supposed to finish your "to do" list.....

I always have several projects on the go at once so if something is finished it just means I can get working on the half done stuff! I never seem to get to that time when there is nothing left to do finish off lol !

I have a long to do list and lots of ideas bookmarked. Also sometimes the fabric inspire me to make something. Sometimes I make something that is not even on my to do list because I need a last minute gift or I get a strong desire to do something spontaneously. Right now I have a Christmas to do list that I have to keep working diligently on.
I'm sure something will come to you soon!

I would give anything to be in your position!! Way to go!!!!!!! :thumbup: