What are WIPs anyway?
WIPs are “Works in Progress” in terms of quilt projects. How many WIPs are too many? There is no right or wrong answer; it truly depends on your creative style. I love starting new and exciting projects, but that creates a bit of chaos in my sewing room. It looks like it is time to finish some of the projects.
This past weekend I held a quilt retreat for a wonderful group of ladies. They worked on a Scrappy Quilt Pattern. Once they settled in and worked on their scrappy blocks, I completed a few quick binding projects. This sparked my need to finish more projects.
WIPs – Where to Start?
When I look at projects that need to be completed, I start with the easiest first. I am the type of person who needs to see some results quickly, so I stay motivated. This usually means bindings. If I was thinking ahead, I have the binding sitting right with the project. If not, I grab the smallest binding project first, look for a coordinating fabric, and get at it. I had to do that for the landscape WIPs. They were small, so it was easy to find enough fabric for the bindings.
Works in Progress – Bindings
This past weekend, I needed to remind myself how to do the bindings. I hadn’t done one in so long that it was like having to do a refresher. But, because I had four to do, I could chug right along as I finished these quick projects. This motivated me to work on the next project – the ones that need to be quilted. At this moment in time, I have no more bindings to do. Nope, I lied. I have one bed-size quilt that needs binding.
Works In Progress – Quilting
It has been years since I machine quilted. Since I have too many quilts to finish, I cannot hand-quilt them all. Time to start free motion quilting again. I often remind myself not to be so harsh with the results. When the quilts are washed and dried, any wonky quilting seems to work itself out. Free-motion quilting requires me to relax and slow the speed of my machine. My movements start out a bit jerky, so it is important to “play” on some scraps before tackling my projects.
I didn’t practice when I started this last project, but I will continue to quilt and let go of all my perfectionist ideas. I remind myself to enjoy the process as much as the finished results. If I enjoy the process, I tend to relax, and my movements are smoother. If all else fails, I will enjoy a glass of wine first – coffee, though I love it, isn’t my friend when I am machine quilting. Talk about WONKY stitches!
I think this is my biggest category! I have twenty-two projects to machine quilt! This category alone will take me a long time to complete.
Works in Progress – Various Stages of Piecing
I love to start a new project, but life often gets in the way. Then that project gets set aside for the next wonderful project I HAVE to create. Fifteen, wait, sixteen WIPs! I will strive each month to complete something…be it a binding, machine quilting, hand quilting, or piecing. I need to see forward progress with these projects.
WIPs Motivation!
What is your WIPs motivation? If I do a project for a specific person or couple, I can stay the course and finish it. But, if I am teaching, completing the top is my focus. If I am designing, my focus is to get the design programmed into the laptop, the directions written, and then finish the top.
My motivation felt a good spark after enjoying time quilting with the ladies. So, I am going to try to get something finished each month.
In years past, we have done a challenge in which you label twelve projects you would like to complete in a year with a number from one to twelve. Each month a number is drawn, and you work on that project for the month. I usually do pretty well for the first half of the year. Summer comes, and I struggle to keep up the pace. Maybe we will try it again in the new year. It is something to think about.
WIPs Retreat
Maybe it is time to host a couple of WIPs Retreats. It is fun to see what everyone is working on and make progress on your project. My retreats have limited room and are only for one day at this point, but stay tuned if you are interested. I will announce any plans on the Facebook page.
If you have no idea what to bring to a quilt retreat, check out this post for more information.
Until next time.
You may be interested in this post on Unfinished Projects.
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