how do you keep your block layout straight
 

I have a small sewing room, no place to layout my blocks. I placed them on my bed to see how I wanted the pattern to go, as I picked them up i realized how easily I could mess the pattern up. Is there some method I could use to keep that from happening? Im a super new quilter.

There are safety pins that have letter beads (a-z). You could pin each of the blocks in the order you want to sew them. Then do a rapid diagram with the coordinating letters.

Stickers! Every block gets a sticker with row number and position number and a sticker on the edge that is supposed to be sewn. I also try to pick them up in a logical way.....but often my logic escapes me later!

I snap a picture with my phone and print it out to put under the clear extention table of my machine. I also use pins to keep each row in order.

I simply use business type file folder labels. I write on them and stick them on the blocks. Don't need to spend extra money on fancy pins.

what I do after I do a layout is stack each row (being careful to be consistent that I move from left to right), then put a safety pin in the lower left corner of the stack. Then I go from top to bottom 'collecting' stacks. If I am not going to sew them immediately, I pin my stacks together. sometimes I also use post it notes on each stack. Of course, you still have to remember what the pin in the corner stood for, or write it down and attach it.

I need a visual. ALWAYS take a photo of arrangement. 2 reasons...the cameras eye..helps me decide some things too! Have fun!!
I used digital, when downloaded on computer, the have a great start record. :0)

I like this idea. It always bugs me to get my blocks out of order. Seems like they get scrambled in my brain going from the design board to my sewing machine. :D

use your phone as CYN suggested

This is what I do. I also do this when I'm chosing fabric combinations for a quilt. You know what they say "a picture is worth a thousand words" of course when you are quilting and then have to use the seam ripper because you put it together wrong the picture would save you a thousand words that can't be said in public or at least shouldn't be said in public.

Using my cell phone camera and lots of labels works for me, too. It is so frustrating to get them out of order.

I have a small sewing area and small house without a wall for even a wall to hang a design wall. I lay out a flannel sheet on a table then lay out the blocks. Since I rarely have time to finish the assembly I have taken pictures which I really like. Then I fold up the sheet over the blocks carefully. I can unfold as I am ready to work on the top.

I do both suggestions, pinning to keep in order and marking with sticky notes.

I like your flannel sheet idea, Newby. If you fold carefully or roll it up you could unfold a row at a time as you sew.

This also works with a flannel backed tablecloth. I also take a picture just in case blocks/pieces get mixed up.

I use a design wall.

I have wooden clothes pins. I mark each one by row and number,apply to the blocks in order,then it's easier to keep them where they should go. I'm famous for sewing stuff upside down and backwards...repeatedly!

I use the small yard sale type stickers with the A, b, c, going down and numbers going a cross. A-1, A-2 etc. I also take pictures a a rearrange them and finally after I settle on the final layout.

No need for fancy pins - if you have flower head pins you can write on the "flower" part with a sharpie

I use flannel-backed tablecloth, the flannel side. I lay it on my bed while thinking and juggling. Then I roll it up for the night and unroll the next morning. I learned this while taking a class, just roll and go!!

I use little sticky tags. Cheap a the dollar store and I don't have to worry if I drop one and loose a needle in the floor.(diabetic) When I am cutting pieces for blocks, I often use a piece of scrap paper and a pin.
Country1

I like this idea. That way you can just roll and unroll later for another look before making a final decision! Thanks for sharing!
Country1

Here is a method that I have used with success in the past. After laying the blocks out in the order I like, I take a manila folder for each row and place the blocks in the folder with the first block on the left on the top. I place each block in order under the first. Each folder is labeled is as to the row, first, second, third, etc. It works well for me.

I covered a large piece of cardboad (about 24X24) with a flannel backed table cloth, and wraped it to the back and taped it with masking tape. My fabric sticks to it just fine. I also have a full size table cloth pinned to my wall for the project as I put it together. I have a small one I use at the swing machine so I don't get the pieces out of order.

If you use old sewing machine needles as "thumb"tacks to put the flannel backed table cloth on the wall it not leave holes. Old military picture hanging trick..

Put a tablecloth backwards on the wall so the flannel is facing out towards you. Then put your blocks up on the flannel. You can easily re-arrange them any time you want-as many times as you want. We do this in our quilting group. We have about 4 table cloths hanging around the room so we can all use them at different times. Then if you are really careful you can even take the table cloth down with your blocks inside. Just carefully roll the table cloth up or carefully fold it. Or you can take a digital picture of your blocks before you take your table cloth down and then just put it up again some other time.

I always take a photo of the layout. My layouts are either on a bed, or the clean floor. A photo also helps me find any mistakes if there are any. Somehow they show up on the photo when you don't notice them with just your eyes. I keep my phone handy and refer to the photo as I make changes and take updated photos, or use it as I sew the blocks together.

I use a wall quilt so I can place them where I want them on a wall then grab, pin and run to machine to sew on edge I pinned to NOT get wrong sides stitched. I love my wall quilt!

I always use post it notes but don't depend on the stickiness...also use a straight pin to hold them in place. I lable the row and the position: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, etc...and I always put them in the same position on each block...in my case I always use upper right hand corner...this tells me row and position in row, as well as how to orient it. I always position well away from the seam. It works well...saw this on some of the quilt shows but don't remember which.

Buy flannel backed tablecloths. I use them constantly. I have no place to put my blocks up either and started using the tablecloths. I move them around and then fold them up into the tablecloth when I am finished. They fold up really nice, or roll them. When you are ready to quilt again, get out the tablecloth.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I laid it out again and will take a picture and start labeling. Hopefully I can keep it in order.

Put a pin in the first block of each row and sew each row individually. I also put them on a bed as I don't have a design wall. First block of the first row gets one pin, first block of the second row gets two pins, etc.

Great idea. Thanks

I don't have a lot of wall space myself but behind the door I put a design wall up there. just a small one, the width of the door, but it works well enough. if doing a bit one the best is the floor or your bed. As I still use both. good luck to you.

I LOVE the flannel-back tablecloth idea!

soooo smart!

I go through tiny post-it notes like crazy!!! I have used dot stickers as well. Be glad you don't have a cat that loves to run through them and scatter them the minute you get them laid out. My cat pretends I don't exist until I am in the middle of something like that!!!!

Definitely, the phone or camera helps, especially if you print out the photo. The row markers can also help. Another one is do the row markers and then place each row in a baggie.

I cut up old calendars and use the #'s with a stick pin on the top of each row when I have it laid out. I then stack top to bottom. I put them in order and put in a baggie with the graph design of the top.