Probably this is nothing new to most of you, but it might help those like me who don't have a whole lot of experience. Once you have finished the individual blocks and arranged them in an order that pleases you, take a picture with a digital camera and print out the pic. Keep it where you can see it as you sew together your blocks. I did this after unpicking the seam putting together the first two blocks with one upside down!

I also will use a small piece of painters tape and in the center of each block I place a piece labeled for example "A-1", "A-2", B-1, B-2, etc. it helps me keep the blocks where they are supposed to be!

I use paper plates for keeping blocks in order especially if there are different sizes. I did a churn dash quilt that had 4 different sizes in each larger unit. The design also used 9 different fabrics. I put each in it's own paper plate and wrote info on the plate.
I also use this for Stack-n-Whack. Sure keeps them in order and can then stack easily.

Picture is a great idea. I do get them rearranged once in awhile. Seems like such a simple idea to just take a picture.

I use eq so even if I don't use it to design the quilt, I'll plug in the blocks and colors and then print it out so I have a printout of what it's supposed to look like. I still had to rip out a seam or two in one quilt but not too bad.

I use safety pins and little slips of paper to mark the blocks "R1 B1" "R2 B1" etc. and then make sure that slip is pinned to the top edge of the block and it's right side up. I don't sew my quilts together in rows and that's the only way I can keep them straight.

After I've laid them out - I stack each row to get ready to chain stitch them and put them on a tray.

[img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4xG-Yd3Mwz...0/IMG_0750.JPG[/img]

I have the row number pinned by each stack and move the bobbin from one stack to the next as I stitch the blocks together.

I didn't catch on that I had run out of bobbin thread for four blocks the other night (late night blonde moment) so I was very relieved to have a picture of what I was working from to put them back together in order.

Cheers, K

I keep mine on a Design Board. You need lots of room for this and not everyone has it.

That's a good idea. I have been using post-it notes.

I'm super forgetful and sooo easily distracted by my lil one so I have to keep them on my (wall) design board and only take one item/block to be sewn, off at a time...

works well for me- Plus I can see exactly what its suppose to look like when I'm done..

Love the camera idea!! Thanks :D

I like your idea, I will be using it. Thanks for sharing.

I use a piece of flannel on the bed, lay out my blocks the way I want them then, roll from the bottom. When ready to sew, unroll first row, sew, put back sewn row, unroll second and so on. Again starting from the top,sew 1st to 2nd, and so on. Works for me.

I do both take a picture and put a sticky note on each block saying R1 C1, R1 C2 (row and column) I think I might be a little compulsive :-)

Here is what I have been doing. I shared this awhile back. It works wonderfully. http://www.quiltingboard.com/tpr?p=1207440&t=51098

I use flat head flower pins and use a sharpie and write numbers on the head and pin to each block. Very easy to pull out all the pins when I'm done. (Yes, there are already numbered pins out there, but I think they are way too expensive)

I do mine same and similar to lots of others, when I lay out the blocks, I label each block with piece of masking tape. If it's row 1---- then I put 1-1,1-2,1-3, and so on. As in row 1 block 1, row 1 block 2

Then row 2 2-1, 2-2,and so on. I put tape in top left corner. But make sure to remove all but your row 1 1st block trape before ironing. The tape can leave a residue that won't come off, if you don't.

The tape on row one, block one on top left corner tells you where the top corner is all the way thru. Make sense?

What a wonderful thread. So many great ideas. I'm going to try your picture idea. Thanks

Hate to tell you, but upside down sewing can still happen - no matter how well you organize or document your plan. (I don't need to explain how I know....)

Here's what I use. I found this idea on a site that a "frugal quilter" has. I made a few sets for myself and some for all the gals in my sewing group. They are great! If you safety pin them on, then you don't have to worry about scratching yourself! These are the embroidery floss plastic cards marked on with permanent marker. They are all put onto one of those key ring holders that you can unclip! Very inexpensive to make and nice gifts!!! You could also do by row and by block.

I use safety pins with the plastic clips on them for basting.. I took a magic marker and wrote numbers and letters on the plastic spine bit. I use them not only for keeping blocks in order but also the fabric as I am cuting.

Good Morning virginia!
i pin my blocks on a sheet. i lay them out the way i want them, then pin them, then hang the sheet up on a wall with push pins.
i can also roll/fold the sheet up, for working on it another time. this works just fine for me.

I use the small stickers that you might use to price items at a garage sale...sometimes I use the colors to mean something specific and sometimes not, just depends on the quilt. DON'T IRON THEM (put them in the middle of a block, away from seams that have to be pressed!) and they come off just fine if left a couple of weeks or so.

I like this tip - great idea

I take pictures of the layout (even during the planning stage) on my cell phone camera. If I've rearranged and don't like it I can always refer to the previous picture to put it back the way it was. When it comes time to sew - it's one row to the machine at a time.

I would never be able to label and then sew.

I take pictures, with a digital camera,when I am trying to decide on the various arrangements of blocks

I really like your idea! I am going to try this one!
Thanks,
Linda58

I saw a tip in a quilting magazine to use address labels. I get lots of them in the mail, and it's a good way to use them up since there's not much snail mail leaving my house!

I have also found that if I am sewing away from home ( we have a group that meets at our church) that the camera function of my cell phone is helpful for this also, even though you can't print out the pic!

I take pics when I have it laid out. It's amazing how the camera will show you when a block is not right! The last quilt I did that with got changed 4 times before I was happy with it.

I use a flannel backed table cloth. I hang it on the wall and put my quilt squares on it.
I take one row off at a time then hang the sewn row up on the board again to recheck what I have done.
I like the idea of a picture because one times the blocks fall off.
I like the fact that I have to get up to get the next row. It gives me time to stretch out a bit.
I also use safety pins to signify the top and which row it is. I use one for the first two for the second and so on.

If you use the blue painters tape it will not leave residue

I use an Excel spreadsheet. I make the cells at a size that will work. I can "color" in the cells and also use an icon to tell me if that square is a plaid, flower, print, check, or stripe. I also put a note in as to where the fabric came from, i.e. purchased, Grandma's scrap box, etc.
I can move the blocks around also.

I used my camera for the same purpose recently and it was a great idea. And, somehow, I could see things differently on the photo (and computer screen) than I saw when the blocks were laid out....and noticed that one block was turned the wrong way. Save me from some un-sewing time.

I always use the digital camera idea....sometimes I don't even have to print out the pics.
I use the painters tape idea, also, when necessary.

I sew together them as I finish them to confusing to do it any other way.

I also print out the quilt before I quilt it and I can draw out designs before I get started to see how it looks and kind of give me a "road map' of where I'm going!

I like this idea! I have 'senior moments' and then get confused about what it is I had decided to do. This would keep me in line for sure! Thanks

Wish I would have done that on one of my quilts. It was the very center block that I didn't like where is was. So...my ripper was my best friend that day. Good idea.

The picture is an excellent suggestion. I will try this next time.