Buckeye Rose

I always have 3 to 5 different projects going. One is usually near completion, but is very tedious work so it gets just a little time each day. I try to keep a project ready and in a go bag that I can take with me for those days where you sit and wait (hospital visits come to mind). There is often times one project in the planning stages or don't have all the fabrics gathered yet. And there is usually one that is very quick and simple for those days where I need an easy project. Each project has its own little plastic tub to keep everything together. So depending on the day, I grab whichever project is appropriate and go to it. Today (whenever I get off the internet) it will be doing some fmq on my denim squares quilt inbetween cleaning and laundry. I try to get in as much quilting time as possible, but some days it doesn't happen, and some days I get to quilt all day!

lclang

I don't have a specific schedule for sewing/quilting. I have an extremely bad back and cannot sit at the sewing machine for long. I iron on a small board in my easy chair. Also have macular degeneration and vision is getting so much worse so I work a while and then have to take a break to rest my eyes. I think it is important to keep going, just to do the best you can with what you have left. This week my needle threader on my machine quit and I had to have my husband thread the machine for me. Gonna have to get that fixed!

Billi

I love a good southern woman's sweet way of reprimanding someone.

Like the majority I have more than one project I am activly working, a mystery quilt, a queen quilt for my nephew, a fws that I do a block or two at a time and a leaders and enders quilt that i don't really count. I am also helping a friend make a fidgit quilt for her mom with Alzheimer's. Then I have 3 tops I need to get backings pieced for, 3 more I have borders for just hate having to get on the floor to measure and cut the longer and larger pieces.

I like that I can walk into my room and spend a few minutes gathering fabrics, or arranging blocks on my design board. Sometimes I go in to sew for 20 minutes and I don't leave for 4 hours sewing, ironing and cutting. I don't like to sit for more than 40 minutes at a time. But there is always something for me to stand and do.

misschris

I'm also retired and my sewing room is my retreat. My husband is gone in the evenings and I'm alone and that's when I do my quilting. I only work on one project at a time to completion. That works for me. My personality requires me to have order. No right or wrong..personal choice. Sometimes I sew the whole evening away and other days not so much. I am so thankful for this hobby and that I control my time now that it's mine to control. My sister who is my mentor told me when I began that there are no rules. Just do what works for you!!!!!

dorismae904

It just depends. Usually every day I wander into the sewing room and do something even if it's just to fondle the fabric. I do have several projects going but have nine tops waiting to be sandwiched. I do a marathon sandwiching session (or until my back gives out). I like to have a pile of tops ready to be quilted or bound. that's my favorite part of quilting.

roadrunr

I usually have several projects going on at the same ime, they are all in differnet stages. Right now, I'm handquilting a king size quilt for my sister, putting scraps together to make 4 1/2" blocks, which will then be sewn together for a baby quilt(or several), I'm starting to cut out sqares for another jean quilt, putting the binding on a jean quilt, sewing blocks together for another quilt that I have cut out. I eventually get the quilts done.

celwood

I usually do not have two projects going at the same time. I used to do more than one and I found that I was losing control over my UFOs. Usually I finish the tops and then wait until a sale comes along for the backing. I usually put in about 4 hours a day quilting. I am lucky that I am retired and my husband likes to play on the computer.

Friday1961

Well meant advice, but do it the way you want to! Sounds like changing projects keeps you from getting bored and giving up the whole hobby. There are no rules! Do what works for you.

When I'm working on a project I give it from 2 to 4 hours a day, usually. Sometimes other obligations or duties interfere (the house will not clean itself no matter how long I wait, I've realized!). I used to sew a lot while working full time -- would come home, cut out a dress, sew it, and wear it the next day -- but I don't have that energy or dedication any longer. I admire those of you who can find time for quilt making while working full time and having a family. Pretty sure I couldn't do that, so I'm glad I waited until retirement to take up this hobby.

Tudey

Well, I have undiagnosed ADHD and I can spend as little as an hour or as much as 6 hours in one sitting in my quilting room. It depends, for me anyway, on how focused I can stay on the project. I use qwuilting as my therapy to help me center and focus when I am scattered, and it works!

charsuewilson

To the one who said you have to finish one project before starting another one, I would just tell her that the way I work works for me. I like the statement about a quilt being in time out. I guess I have one of those. It was my first attempt at a long star, with each individual diamond cut individually, and sewn individually. It won't lie flat. The top is done, and some day I may try to finish it. I also have a number of projects from a class. I tend to want a bigger quilt than what was proposed for the class and could possibly be finished in one 6-8 hour class day. So I have a lot of those that aren't quite finished. How long can I go at a time? Well, at retreats, get a good breakfast, get started quilting by 9 am, nibbling at snacks during the day, possibly stopping for dinner, and quitting around 11 pm. I generally take a number of projects to finish there and typically get a lot done. That's a little harder to do at home. There are more distractions there, but I can do a whole day quilting.