The Ever-Growing Quilt Project Pile Mountain
Do you look at your quilt projects and want to stash them away? Hide them in a closet? Pile them into totes stored out of sight? You are not the only one. Our creative quilt enthusiasm for the next project often strikes before we finish our current project. If we aren’t careful, our quilt projects in various stages of completion will overtake our sewing area. I have become a bit obsessed with creating a quilt project list.
The photo on the right shows just a small number of projects before I organized them. I have others stashed under my quilting machine in totes.
Quilt Projects – Why do we have so many?
Inspiration comes in many packages: color combinations I see (not necessarily fabrics), patterns (not necessarily quilt patterns), pictures, photos I take, crafts, flowers, and quilts that other quilters have finished. My list could go on almost endlessly.
So, as you see, my creative side pulls inspiration from all around me. This very thing can create chaos in my studio – my creative chaos studio.
This is not to say that I am most creative in my chaos. It is just the opposite. Sensory overload hits me hard. To be honest, I often walk the line between too much and not enough.
Quilt Projects Becoming UFOs
A quilt project can become a UFO when it is set aside for a while; whether it is because you lose interest in it or another project has to take precedence. I have both types of projects. My problem is those projects start to pile up, and I become distracted. Where do you fall on the spectrum – a quilter with just a couple of projects you are working on or a quilter with enough projects to last a lifetime? There is nothing wrong with either scenario. I work hard to find the best fit for my creativity.
Prioritizing the Quilt Projects
I am sharing how I organize my projects, but you may have a better way that works for you. Please share. I love seeing different perspectives, and who knows, I may adopt your “formula” for organizing the projects. I have my projects organized by stages. Here is a general list that I use.
- Bindings/labels
- Machine quilting
- Finish sewing the top
- Creating a design (for example: using those orphan blocks that are piling up)
- Easy scrap quilts for using up all those leftovers pieces and fabrics from other projects
- Quilt projects to start with all the materials collected
- Projects to create because I am fascinated with the block pattern or fabrics discovered – no actual design decided on
- Projects that have a deadline, such as gifts
- Quilt projects that I no longer want or like
I love when my projects graduate from one level to the next (not counting the projects that fall into the dislike stage). For some strange reason, this helps to keep me motivated.
Quilt Projects that I no Longer Like
Let’s talk about the projects we don’t like anymore. There is no rule that states you have to finish the project or that you have to keep the project in its current form. Don’t stuff it back in the project pile – share it with a quilting friend who would like it. Recycle the parts or fabrics for another project (I did this during my last organization weekend). Create smaller projects. Think about donating if you finish it and still don’t like it. If I have a project that I genuinely dislike, I use it for practicing new quilting techniques, such as applique or machine quilting techniques.
Quilt UFO Buster 2023 – Join us!
As my fellow quilters are sharing the projects they want to use for the Quilt UFO Buster 2023, suddenly, I am mentally adding more projects to my list, which kind of defeats the purpose. I love seeing their color choices and quilt patterns, often adding additional projects to my list. But let’s talk a bit about how to decide what you want to finish in 2023.
To get started with your list, decide what projects are important to you (for whatever reason). I pulled out many of my projects and started arranging them according to the above list. In looking at the projects, I rediscovered the ones I initially loved. Discoveries were made for projects I honestly did not like.
I started earmarking the ones I was excited about finishing and reminding myself not to put all the similar projects at the top of the list. This comes from adding all these massive paper-piecing projects to the top of my list a couple of years ago. I learned my lesson because I did not complete them. I was so sick of doing the same type of project. For the coming year, I am mixing it up. Some of the projects on my list are just quick and easy ones.
Orphan Projects
I love finding those projects with all their components – fabric, pattern, batting, backing, and binding – what a win there. More often than not, I find orphan projects. Sometimes that means they are test blocks or partial blocks. If I have enough of the project, I can usually remember what pattern I need; other times, I need to be creative.
What I noticed with many of my orphan projects or blocks, I tend to use many of the same colors or at least a similar background. This is great for me because I put those blocks altogether in a quilt or table runner. Scrappy quilts are one of my favorites.
Tackling your own Quilt Projects
If you are going to join us for the Quilt UFO Buster in the new year (or even if you aren’t), take a weekend to go through your projects. Prioritize what you want to work on; get rid of the projects you no longer want. You may be surprised to find a few projects that can be finished quickly; the holidays are just around the corner.
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Until next time.
