I have a tendency to have multiple projects going at different times in different stages. One in the cutting stage; one in the assembly stage and one in the quilting stage. I hand quilt so this way I still have something quilty going on al the time. I can usually manage to make the important deadlines but otherwise I don't worry about the 'race'. I pretty much just quilt for my own pleasure and usually leave myself plenty of time to make my self-imposed deadlines.