To keep myself from starting too many projects: I have 6 storage boxes (12" x 1 5" ) and everything for one quilt goes in one of those boxes. When all 6 are in use, I have to finish one before I can start a new one!
Yes, I have to stop myself from buying more containers to shuffle my fabric scraps into. I am making myself Use Up the pieces to Empty the bins instead of buying anymore. So far, so good! All three quilts I did/am doing so far were/are from digging into the bins.😊
The last quilt I called bankruptcy on I took all of the pieces and parts, and donated to Goodwill. Hope someone bought it and fell in love with sewing.
I will only work on one quilt, start to finish. I seem to get more done over all. If I don't want to finish one (it's ugly, too small, whatever), I give it to the church ladies, who use it for donation quilts.
I get you, I used to be like that. But one quilt is in the quilting stage for relaxing, one is ready to be pieced together on the machine, and then, my hexie quilt for just keeping my hands busy on a lightweight project if I want a break from the others. I haven't done "one quilt at a time, start to finish" since I making baby and wedding quilts for other folks. These projects are for me to use or donate and I like working on various projects.
Excellent video and tips! No one should feel inadequate or guilty if they decide to declare quilt bankruptcy on a project. Our tastes change, desire to make for a specific person may change, you feel overwhelmed by all you projects, or you want to move on to different things. It's not easy the few couple of times you declare bankruptcy, but it gets easier and you feel so much better! I like to think of it as allowing the project to go to a new home where it will be more loved.
I have 2 "resolutions" this year. 1. I joined a UFO of the month program at my lqs. Made a list of 12 UFOs and gave it to the shop to challenge me to finish each one in their random order. If I can't/don't finish any of these by the end of the year, I will (probably) give away the project, as you're calling it "bankruptcy." The other resolution is, "Start 1 finish 2." I don't start a new project until I've finished 2. Sometimes finishing is quilting & binding, sometimes piecing, but if I finish 2, I'll at least make progress on my UFO pile.
Great suggestions! May I also add one... consider donating your unfinished quilts to a charitable organization like Project Linus. They have volunteers who will gladly complete them and recipients who will benefit thanks to your generosity! 💕
I would, but, they have rules against having pets in the quilting areas people make them in. I can't wash these unfinished sections or they will ravel. Not a lot of kitty hairs, but, there are some.
@@wendywilson1736 The Project Linus chapter I volunteer for doesn't have that rule. They're more concerned with odors (tobacco, scented laundry soap/dryer sheets) and ask us to wash those particular quilts. Otherwise, we simply take a lint roller to each quilt. Good luck!
No buy resolutions haven’t worked for me in the past either. This year I’m asking two questions before I hit Add to Cart: What are you making with this? How soon are you going to make it? Hopefully that will cut down on impulse buying. Good luck to us all in being more mindful about fabric purchases! 😊
I have taken partially finished quilt tops, finished them and then donated them to a local charity. I love to do this. I am honest with people who gift these quilts to me that they will be donated. Put 12 under the Christmas giving tree at our local fire department.
I've been doing a lot of papercrafting for years, after i finished the last wedding quilt for nieces and nephews, then baby quilt for their little ones and our grandkids.This year, i decided to tackle my fabric and scraps. After two quilt tops, I made new curtains for our pop up camper. Now, I'm starting on my 3rd quilt top for 2024, with the sheet scraps left from making those curtains, and squares left over from our first camping quilt (US Route 66 theme) plus happy colored scrap strips and fat quarters. I have more quilts, and other projects in mind after this quilt. I hope to make a serious dent in my scrap stash, this year!
Wonderful advice, especially for a newbie quilter that seems to have more fabric than i possibly need at this time. I have the same issue with yarn as an advanced crocheter. I haven't ourchased any yarn in several months to use what i have. The problem is that the industry brings new out, and they disappear, and then we never see them again, so I panic buy sometimes.
Quilting anonymous, where fabric addicts gather to share their struggles and support each other in resisting the temptation to buy more fabric. Stay strong!
I bought way too much fabric 2 years ago. I plan to spend this year using it up. I love scrappy and mixed fabric quilts, so I have plenty to keep me busy and happy for kong time!
Great tips Becca!! I'm also first putting attention on completing the 3 quilts I've got going right now and then get into the smaller projects in organizer bins. I'm on a no spend on fabric or anything sewing and quilting related for 90 days. I've never done a no spend challenge, so it's very different for me, but I do have a tendency to over shop and right now I have plenty of stuff on hand. If I do well with my first 90 days of no spend, I'm extending it another 90 and see if I get away with not buying anything sewing or quilting related for 6 months. I think I can do it!
90 days is very doable! It’s a whole lot easier to do a 90 day stretch than 365! Good luck on getting those three quilts finished and meeting your goal of not buying anything for the next three months!
I sure needed this talk!! This year I am trying to bullet journal what I get done in my sewing room every day. So far, it has really helped me 1st by realizing I DO get more done than I give myself credit for; 2nd keeping me focused & on track & 3rd finding that I feel challenged when I don't get much done. Hopefully I can keep it simple, keep it going, & Not allow it to become more of a chore than an encouragement! Great Tips! Glad I found your channel.
Thanks for your advice. What I find helpful is bankruptcy. I have lost interest in two half finished projects and just keep procrastinating about a decision. I appreciate your advice.
We're all products of the waste nothing era...it makes it hard to cut our losses. I think it's OK to pay the project forward to someone else that WILL finish it - so you can be freed up to do something else!
Great tips! Yeah, "No Buy" never works for me but not impulse purchasing (waiting a day or two or a week after first seeing that "must have" fabric) often quells the desire for it -- usually because something else takes its place, LOL! By the time you compile the list of things you feel you've just got to have, the enormity of just how much you'd be spending in total pumps the breaks. If you're lucky something goes on sale which helps narrow the choices to just that item. Understanding just how many steps are needed to make something (definite outline, not vague notions of it) and being clear about how long each step takes (or if a "step" is really a project in it's own right) has made me better at understanding how much I can really get done or why something didn't get done in the time expected. This results in having less "bankruptcy" projects (Love that term!) because I can clearly see whether or not they are completely hopeless and then keep or discard them without guilt.
You made me aware of my style of "buying stuff." I not only looked at the LARGE amount of fabric I already have, it spreads to my books, my food storage and even my stack of jeans. I truly overbuy and I'm only starting to admit that. his may be my resolution for 2024.
I honestly think we all over buy When I moved from our old home into this one, I realized just how much fabric I bought. Once I had my fabric organized on shelves, it was a whole lot easier to understand what I had and make better decisions when I was shopping. The result is I pull from my stash more and buy less. And when I do buy, I can make more informed decisions about the fabric I choose to purchase
O my. I am new to your channel. I have set this goal for myself 3 months ago. I have soooo much fabric and the fabric is sorted for quilts I want to make. I told the hubby I'm not buying any more fabric unless I need it to finish a quilt. So far so good 😂
Now I noticed two things most Becca; I don't see bubba. Did you put them to sleep for a little while? Lol and I absolutely love your shirt. Where in the world did you get that? I really like that shirt actually. That was the first thing I noticed was your shirt. Loved the video. Have a night
Becca i would love to see a video on using Good Notes. I had no idea you could import files and write on them in there. I’m totally not using it effectively.
Hey, Becca! Great tips! Downsizing UFOs will be perfect for me. They will likely become either a wall hanging or donations for kids at my local hospital. I’ve used GoodNotes for everything! It’s become my filing cabinet for my home and life. My Quilting Folder-and several folders therein-compiles all of my tips & cheat sheets, quilt patterns (by category), and a planner. I include: screen snaps of the fabrics I’m using (or options I’m considering); links to ant related videos; and screen snaps of projects completed by others. Thanks for the planner PDFs. Loving the FPP pattern for the Temp Quilt. Your VIP membership perks are definitely worth it! Thanks for all you do! Stay well, Muskoka ON 🇨🇦
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you found the downsizing tips helpful. It's great to hear that you're using GoodNotes to stay organized...I'll have a video on that coming soon. I want to start showing ways we can intertwine technology into our quilting world!
@@sewbecca your right there . I’m already feeling the strain of not buying any fabric this month and it’s just started. I hope to do it maybe three times this year. Not sure if it will happen but going to try.
I am doing Karen Browns challenge for the 3rd year. Letting go is a problem for me. Love your tips because they are ones i can do. Changing a quilt is a great way to finish a quilt. Fallon's is so unbelievable. Wow. Thanks
Last year in October I decided to make some resolutions. I want my finish tops quilted. I counted 17 yesterday. Ugh. I want to start using the kits or sew the projects that I already purchased. I haven’t said I won’t buy fabric but I try to only buy if I need it for a current project. There is one line of fabric from Cory Yoder coming out in May. I have allowed myself that purchase. I also need a plan for my scraps. All of my resolutions I ve worked on since last year and I am making progress and really enjoy being in my sewing room now.
Same! I made resolutions (or goals) to drastically reduce my UFOs & WIPs last year, and will continue the process this year! I'm enjoying being in my room without feeling like I constantly have so much hanging over my head!
Great insight tips. Have 5 quilts to piece, including many denim to donate to a local church. 2 UFO's and a quilt to cut and piece, big diamond shapes. Many more for family in 2025 using batiks. Thank you so much! Happy sewing everyone.
I organized the first part of the year. They're put in project boxes and stacked on the console next to my 'cutting table/ dining room table'. There are 8 boxes, on one side of the music box and about 8 more small projects on the other side of the music box. (It's and 8' console and the top is full!)
I love using project boxes to keep myself organized too! There’s something about knowing that everything, for my project is altogether in that one bin, and being able to visually see how many bins I have helps me know just how much work is ahead of me.
Clutter of any kind makes me nervous so I only have 2 quilts going at any one time. One long term hand pieced and one machine pieced. I don't allow myself to actually start another project until the machine pieced one is done. And I make sure it's a project that will keep me interested. Now that doesn't mean I'm not constantly looking at other patterns or fabric. I just don't start them.
I have a hard time deciding which projects to do in my limited time. I like them all! I try to not have more than 2 tops I am working on at a time along with maybe 2 block of the month projects. Fairly new quilter so I will get there, I guess! 😃
Thanks for making a quilting journal, this will definitely help me this year. You have some great suggestions on other things as well... I don't have any UFO's lying in wait to do a quilt bankruptcy. I tend to finish one before moving on to another. I've already bought fabric this year, but in all honesty it was paid for with gift cards I had gotten for Christmas.
That's wonderful! I want to get to the discipline where I have only 3-ish works in progress that I switch between...and I'm only shopping for the projects I'm about to start. It seems more fiscally responsible to tackle things that way!
Becca, I think lot of people pretend they can buy all the latest "designer" collections despite the cost of living, especially basic food stuff, rising at an alarming rate I don't live in the USA and in my country charities will not accept quilts. I used to post fabric to Britain but since Brexit it's too expensive for me and for the charities. I'm self taught quilter 10,years now, and I regret starting as I cannot get anyone interested in doing it. In my country a yard of fabric is $24.00.or more. I will try and get rid of some of my things or maybe I'll get back my sewjo. I've been through a very tough 15 months. Say a prayer for me please. Sláinte (Irish for good health) for 2024.
Becca, your advice is excellent! What do you do when you can't say no to finishing up projects that belonged to a deceased quilting friend? It's making it difficult to work on projects of my own. I'm trying to make one project for my friend's daughters, and one project that I want to work on.....
I think it's ok to say no - it's tough sometimes, but we have to have our own boundaries! You could always offer to teach someone the craft so they can finish it themselves! It'd be more meaningful that way!
I love how Mufasa is turning out Becca! Awesome job! I know how to get stuff done lol I just dont do it. Too many squirrels in the world. I plan on doing the bankruptcy thing. Such a great plan!! I might introduce it to my quilt guild and get something going with them. Might be fun! Have a great productive year!!❤
Using Jira 🙄 That be like mixing work with quilting. I keep it simple and make myself a sewing to do list every month in Notes on my iPhone. I also have a Notes list of quilts I want to make with the pattern name, who it is for, fabric requirements including what I already have, and what I need. When I’m fabric shopping I pull up my list and try to shop from my needs list before I get sucked into something that is pretty and I don’t need. Don’t worry I’m not a sociopath I do buy my share of pretty for my fabric museum (sounds fancier than a stash)😂
Haha, I totally get what you mean! Mixing work with quilting can be a bit tricky, but hey, as long as you're organized and having fun, who's to say you can't use Jira for your sewing projects too?
Fallon teased this video and I’ve been looking forward to it! It’s funny how I have more fabric than I want, but the way prices are now, I wish I bought more in the past 😂
I think it is awesome that you can send your quilts out to be quilted. I wish I could afford to do that. However, I may have to because I have more than 12 quilts waiting to be quilted. I get so anxious at this point. I would love to figure out how to use good notes. I was just going to buy those forms.
I can't afford to have *all* of my quilts quilted by a longarmer - so, I'll be doing a lot of them myself this coming year! As for Good Notes, I'll drop a video soon on how we can use Good Notes to assist with our quilting lives!
Ha! Sorry didn’t mean to sound snarky. I hope it didn’t come across like that. This is why I don’t always comment. Ugh! You work hard and I think you are amazing. Nothing snarky meant. I tell you I really wish we had a nice quilt shop near me. That would be so nice. I would love to go and have just a little help and encouragement to get them finished. Also I look for to the good notes. Like I said you are a talented person and I have learned a lot from you.
I got a small list of quilts ( less then 10) I want to get done, ideas mainly not certain patterns...my question is When picking a quilt to do how do you know how much time it will take you to do it if your a beginner
I don't document down the hour, it's more like "weeks/months" that I'm thinking about. I think about the complexity of the project (is this just a bunch of straight seams - or are there a ton of half-square triangles?) - the type of piecing (is it traditional or FPP?) and how big the quilt is and usually "t-shirt" size from there. For example, my Mufasa at Night quilt (the Legit Kit I'm working on) I'd size as "XL"; while a Jelly Roll Race might be "S" or "M". My. mom's a beginner, too - and the advice I give her is no more than 3 active WIPs at a time. As one is completed, she can bring another into the rotation. This gives her a chance to have some variety and bounce from one project to the other. Additionally, in that rotation - I try to make sure there's a project she can work on alone and a different one that challenges her!
Thank you. This will help. I've never planned out stuff so this year I'm going to try a quilting journal to help me stay on track with my quilts. And projects I want to get done.👍
Thank you for the organization tutorial. I always work better if I have a guidelines and details. I think you pdf is a super idea. Unfortunately I don't have a computer or printer. Is there a way I can use it on my phone?
I gifted a kit to a friend that I was hoping I would find the courage to start. After looking at it for 5 years, it has left the building and now living in another house where it will be made.
I just think about the technique, number of pieces, and size of the quilt then I give the project a tshirt size. For example, a jelly roll race might be a medium where a full legit kit would be XL
Found out on Christmas that we will be having a grandbaby this summer… so I have a special baby quilt to make!
Wonderful! Congrats on the new addition!
To keep myself from starting too many projects: I have 6 storage boxes (12" x 1 5" ) and everything for one quilt goes in one of those boxes. When all 6 are in use, I have to finish one before I can start a new one!
That’s kind of what I do, too! No bins? No new projects!!
Yes, I have to stop myself from buying more containers to shuffle my fabric scraps into. I am making myself Use Up the pieces to Empty the bins instead of buying anymore. So far, so good! All three quilts I did/am doing so far were/are from digging into the bins.😊
The last quilt I called bankruptcy on I took all of the pieces and parts, and donated to Goodwill. Hope someone bought it and fell in love with sewing.
Wouldn't that be lovely? If the quilt that you gave up on started someone else on a creative journey!?
I will only work on one quilt, start to finish. I seem to get more done over all.
If I don't want to finish one (it's ugly, too small, whatever), I give it to the church ladies, who use it for donation quilts.
I get you, I used to be like that. But one quilt is in the quilting stage for relaxing, one is ready to be pieced together on the machine, and then, my hexie quilt for just keeping my hands busy on a lightweight project if I want a break from the others. I haven't done "one quilt at a time, start to finish" since I making baby and wedding quilts for other folks. These projects are for me to use or donate and I like working on various projects.
Excellent video and tips! No one should feel inadequate or guilty if they decide to declare quilt bankruptcy on a project. Our tastes change, desire to make for a specific person may change, you feel overwhelmed by all you projects, or you want to move on to different things.
It's not easy the few couple of times you declare bankruptcy, but it gets easier and you feel so much better!
I like to think of it as allowing the project to go to a new home where it will be more loved.
Absolutely!!
I have a bin full of various Rail Fence blocks I need to either do something with, or just say Good bye and good luck to.
I have 2 "resolutions" this year. 1. I joined a UFO of the month program at my lqs. Made a list of 12 UFOs and gave it to the shop to challenge me to finish each one in their random order. If I can't/don't finish any of these by the end of the year, I will (probably) give away the project, as you're calling it "bankruptcy." The other resolution is, "Start 1 finish 2." I don't start a new project until I've finished 2. Sometimes finishing is quilting & binding, sometimes piecing, but if I finish 2, I'll at least make progress on my UFO pile.
Those are wonderful goals!!
I just love your phrase "Quilt bankruptcy"! lol
Heck yes! It doesn't need to be a bad term - it just means letting the quilt go live somewhere else!
Great suggestions! May I also add one... consider donating your unfinished quilts to a charitable organization like Project Linus. They have volunteers who will gladly complete them and recipients who will benefit thanks to your generosity! 💕
That's a great idea!
I would, but, they have rules against having pets in the quilting areas people make them in. I can't wash these unfinished sections or they will ravel. Not a lot of kitty hairs, but, there are some.
@@wendywilson1736 The Project Linus chapter I volunteer for doesn't have that rule. They're more concerned with odors (tobacco, scented laundry soap/dryer sheets) and ask us to wash those particular quilts. Otherwise, we simply take a lint roller to each quilt. Good luck!
No buy resolutions haven’t worked for me in the past either. This year I’m asking two questions before I hit Add to Cart: What are you making with this? How soon are you going to make it? Hopefully that will cut down on impulse buying. Good luck to us all in being more mindful about fabric purchases! 😊
I have taken partially finished quilt tops, finished them and then donated them to a local charity. I love to do this. I am honest with people who gift these quilts to me that they will be donated. Put 12 under the Christmas giving tree at our local fire department.
That's a WONDERFUL idea! Someone else mentioned donating quilt tops that aren't finished to Project Linus!
I've been doing a lot of papercrafting for years, after i finished the last wedding quilt for nieces and nephews, then baby quilt for their little ones and our grandkids.This year, i decided to tackle my fabric and scraps. After two quilt tops, I made new curtains for our pop up camper. Now, I'm starting on my 3rd quilt top for 2024, with the sheet scraps left from making those curtains, and squares left over from our first camping quilt (US Route 66 theme) plus happy colored scrap strips and fat quarters. I have more quilts, and other projects in mind after this quilt.
I hope to make a serious dent in my scrap stash, this year!
Wonderful advice, especially for a newbie quilter that seems to have more fabric than i possibly need at this time. I have the same issue with yarn as an advanced crocheter. I haven't ourchased any yarn in several months to use what i have. The problem is that the industry brings new out, and they disappear, and then we never see them again, so I panic buy sometimes.
Stopping myself from buying more fabric I think is starting to require Quilting anonymous. 😂
Quilting anonymous, where fabric addicts gather to share their struggles and support each other in resisting the temptation to buy more fabric. Stay strong!
That is exactly what I say about myself 😂
@@constanceklagge rough life isn’t it? Lol
@@sewbecca lol
I bought way too much fabric 2 years ago. I plan to spend this year using it up. I love scrappy and mixed fabric quilts, so I have plenty to keep me busy and happy for kong time!
Great tips Becca!! I'm also first putting attention on completing the 3 quilts I've got going right now and then get into the smaller projects in organizer bins. I'm on a no spend on fabric or anything sewing and quilting related for 90 days. I've never done a no spend challenge, so it's very different for me, but I do have a tendency to over shop and right now I have plenty of stuff on hand. If I do well with my first 90 days of no spend, I'm extending it another 90 and see if I get away with not buying anything sewing or quilting related for 6 months. I think I can do it!
90 days is very doable! It’s a whole lot easier to do a 90 day stretch than 365! Good luck on getting those three quilts finished and meeting your goal of not buying anything for the next three months!
Thanks Becca for the kick in the butt! 😂
You got this!
I sure needed this talk!! This year I am trying to bullet journal what I get done in my sewing room every day. So far, it has really helped me 1st by realizing I DO get more done than I give myself credit for; 2nd keeping me focused & on track & 3rd finding that I feel challenged when I don't get much done. Hopefully I can keep it simple, keep it going, & Not allow it to become more of a chore than an encouragement! Great Tips! Glad I found your channel.
Absolutely! There’s not a single part of my life (faith, work, UA-cam, quilting) where journaling or making lists doesn’t help!
Mufasa is looking wonderful
Nice shirt Becca 👌🏼
Thanks for your advice. What I find helpful is bankruptcy. I have lost interest in two half finished projects and just keep procrastinating about a decision. I appreciate your advice.
We're all products of the waste nothing era...it makes it hard to cut our losses. I think it's OK to pay the project forward to someone else that WILL finish it - so you can be freed up to do something else!
Great video! That PDF is just what I need to tackle all my unfinished projects. I have a few of them 😂
Hahaha! Yes, you do!
Very logical way to get the most out of your quilting year 😮
Great tips! Yeah, "No Buy" never works for me but not impulse purchasing (waiting a day or two or a week after first seeing that "must have" fabric) often quells the desire for it -- usually because something else takes its place, LOL! By the time you compile the list of things you feel you've just got to have, the enormity of just how much you'd be spending in total pumps the breaks. If you're lucky something goes on sale which helps narrow the choices to just that item.
Understanding just how many steps are needed to make something (definite outline, not vague notions of it) and being clear about how long each step takes (or if a "step" is really a project in it's own right) has made me better at understanding how much I can really get done or why something didn't get done in the time expected. This results in having less "bankruptcy" projects (Love that term!) because I can clearly see whether or not they are completely hopeless and then keep or discard them without guilt.
You made me aware of my style of "buying stuff." I not only looked at the LARGE amount of fabric I already have, it spreads to my books, my food storage and even my stack of jeans. I truly overbuy and I'm only starting to admit that. his may be my resolution for 2024.
I honestly think we all over buy When I moved from our old home into this one, I realized just how much fabric I bought. Once I had my fabric organized on shelves, it was a whole lot easier to understand what I had and make better decisions when I was shopping. The result is I pull from my stash more and buy less. And when I do buy, I can make more informed decisions about the fabric I choose to purchase
@@sewbecca do you use the cardboard method for storing your fabrics?
O my. I am new to your channel. I have set this goal for myself 3 months ago. I have soooo much fabric and the fabric is sorted for quilts I want to make.
I told the hubby I'm not buying any more fabric unless I need it to finish a quilt.
So far so good 😂
You can do it! Don't buy it unless you *need* it
Thank you for the witness on your shirt!!
❤❤❤
Now I noticed two things most Becca; I don't see bubba. Did you put them to sleep for a little while? Lol and I absolutely love your shirt. Where in the world did you get that? I really like that shirt actually. That was the first thing I noticed was your shirt. Loved the video. Have a night
Haha! Yes, I put him to sleep just for the video! I got the shirt at a women’s retreat a couple years ago. I thought it was cool, and had to have it!
Love your shirt ❤
Thank you!
Becca i would love to see a video on using Good Notes. I had no idea you could import files and write on them in there. I’m totally not using it effectively.
Will do!!
I have about 30 quilts to do in 2024 😂. I have 3 nearly finished so that’s my initial target 😊
Love your shirt!
Thank you!
I would love to see a tutorial on that note books you were talking about
Hey, Becca!
Great tips!
Downsizing UFOs will be perfect for me. They will likely become either a wall hanging or donations for kids at my local hospital. I’ve used GoodNotes for everything! It’s become my filing cabinet for my home and life.
My Quilting Folder-and several folders therein-compiles all of my tips & cheat sheets, quilt patterns (by category), and a planner. I include: screen snaps of the fabrics I’m using (or options I’m considering); links to ant related videos; and screen snaps of projects completed by others. Thanks for the planner PDFs. Loving the FPP pattern for the Temp Quilt. Your VIP membership perks are definitely worth it!
Thanks for all you do!
Stay well,
Muskoka ON 🇨🇦
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you found the downsizing tips helpful. It's great to hear that you're using GoodNotes to stay organized...I'll have a video on that coming soon. I want to start showing ways we can intertwine technology into our quilting world!
I’m trying to do a no buy in January. I mean fabric! I’m going to TRY and do this every so many months through out the year. 😊❤
Good luck!! I’ve done a no buy month - I think it’s a wonderful idea! I just don’t think it’s realistic to do it for an entire year!
@@sewbecca your right there . I’m already feeling the strain of not buying any fabric this month and it’s just started. I hope to do it maybe three times this year. Not sure if it will happen but going to try.
Love your shirt! Thanks for the video!
love your shirt!!!
I am doing Karen Browns challenge for the 3rd year. Letting go is a problem for me. Love your tips because they are ones i can do. Changing a quilt is a great way to finish a quilt. Fallon's is so unbelievable. Wow. Thanks
Karen's declutter challenges are ALWAYS great and packed full of tips!!
Last year in October I decided to make some resolutions. I want my finish tops quilted. I counted 17 yesterday. Ugh. I want to start using the kits or sew the projects that I already purchased. I haven’t said I won’t buy fabric but I try to only buy if I need it for a current project. There is one line of fabric from Cory Yoder coming out in May. I have allowed myself that purchase. I also need a plan for my scraps. All of my resolutions I ve worked on since last year and I am making progress and really enjoy being in my sewing room now.
Same! I made resolutions (or goals) to drastically reduce my UFOs & WIPs last year, and will continue the process this year! I'm enjoying being in my room without feeling like I constantly have so much hanging over my head!
Great video. Thanks Becca
You're so welcome! Thank you for watching!
Great insight tips. Have 5 quilts to piece, including many denim to donate to a local church. 2 UFO's and a quilt to cut and piece, big diamond shapes. Many more for family in 2025 using batiks. Thank you so much! Happy sewing everyone.
Looks like you're on a quilting marathon! Don't forget to take breaks and stretch those quilting muscles!
❤ the idea of the notebook and would love a tutorial especially being fairly new
You got it!
Love the tips especially about Good Notes. I'd love to learn more about importing the PDFs to Good Notes. Thank you!
Coming soon!
I'd like to know about this, too, Becca. Thank you! -Sally from MO@@sewbecca
Love your shirt!
Thank you!!
I organized the first part of the year. They're put in project boxes and stacked on the console next to my 'cutting table/ dining room table'. There are 8 boxes, on one side of the music box and about 8 more small projects on the other side of the music box. (It's and 8' console and the top is full!)
I love using project boxes to keep myself organized too! There’s something about knowing that everything, for my project is altogether in that one bin, and being able to visually see how many bins I have helps me know just how much work is ahead of me.
Awesome show. I love how you simplify and break stuff down. My quilty goals this year is to complete all of my UFOs (6 of them in various stages)
Clutter of any kind makes me nervous so I only have 2 quilts going at any one time. One long term hand pieced and one machine pieced. I don't allow myself to actually start another project until the machine pieced one is done. And I make sure it's a project that will keep me interested. Now that doesn't mean I'm not constantly looking at other patterns or fabric. I just don't start them.
Thank you ! Your video is helpful to me ! To alleviate my problem feeling bad about not finishing
I have a hard time deciding which projects to do in my limited time. I like them all! I try to not have more than 2 tops I am working on at a time along with maybe 2 block of the month projects. Fairly new quilter so I will get there, I guess! 😃
A goodnotes tutorial would be awesome! happy 2024!
Coming soon!
Thanks for making a quilting journal, this will definitely help me this year. You have some great suggestions on other things as well... I don't have any UFO's lying in wait to do a quilt bankruptcy. I tend to finish one before moving on to another. I've already bought fabric this year, but in all honesty it was paid for with gift cards I had gotten for Christmas.
That's wonderful! I want to get to the discipline where I have only 3-ish works in progress that I switch between...and I'm only shopping for the projects I'm about to start. It seems more fiscally responsible to tackle things that way!
I agree. This is a great video, Becca. Thank you for sharing this information. 😊
You are so welcome!
Becca, I think lot of people pretend they can buy all the latest "designer" collections
despite the cost of living, especially basic food stuff, rising at an alarming rate
I don't live in the USA and in my country charities will not accept quilts. I used to post fabric
to Britain but since Brexit it's too expensive for me and for the charities.
I'm self taught quilter 10,years now, and I regret starting as I cannot get anyone interested
in doing it. In my country a yard of fabric is $24.00.or more. I will try and get rid of some of my things or maybe I'll get back my sewjo. I've been through a very tough 15 months.
Say a prayer for me please. Sláinte (Irish for good health) for 2024.
Sending, love, hugs, and prayers!!
Becca, your advice is excellent! What do you do when you can't say no to finishing up projects that belonged to a deceased quilting friend? It's making it difficult to work on projects of my own. I'm trying to make one project for my friend's daughters, and one project that I want to work on.....
I think it's ok to say no - it's tough sometimes, but we have to have our own boundaries! You could always offer to teach someone the craft so they can finish it themselves! It'd be more meaningful that way!
I love how Mufasa is turning out Becca! Awesome job! I know how to get stuff done lol I just dont do it. Too many squirrels in the world. I plan on doing the bankruptcy thing. Such a great plan!! I might introduce it to my quilt guild and get something going with them. Might be fun! Have a great productive year!!❤
It is! Just remember - bankruptcy doesn't need to a bad thing! You can use it to give away - or trade - projects with a friend!
Great video!
Thanks!
Using Jira 🙄 That be like mixing work with quilting. I keep it simple and make myself a sewing to do list every month in Notes on my iPhone. I also have a Notes list of quilts I want to make with the pattern name, who it is for, fabric requirements including what I already have, and what I need. When I’m fabric shopping I pull up my list and try to shop from my needs list before I get sucked into something that is pretty and I don’t need. Don’t worry I’m not a sociopath I do buy my share of pretty for my fabric museum (sounds fancier than a stash)😂
Haha, I totally get what you mean! Mixing work with quilting can be a bit tricky, but hey, as long as you're organized and having fun, who's to say you can't use Jira for your sewing projects too?
I absolutely would love to learn how to put your pdf’s into good notes to keep an electronic record of my quilt completions please.
Working on it!
Fallon teased this video and I’ve been looking forward to it! It’s funny how I have more fabric than I want, but the way prices are now, I wish I bought more in the past 😂
That is a draw back to not buying the fabric now. But...there's *always* going ot be pretty fabric in the future!!
@@sewbecca true! Another lavender or bee fabric will come along 😜
I will help finish a project or two for you😊
I may take you up on that, LOL
Great video!! Loved this so much, it really made my mind feel better!
Glad you enjoyed it!
These are great tips. Thanks.
You’re welcome!
That was great! Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I think it is awesome that you can send your quilts out to be quilted. I wish I could afford to do that. However, I may have to because I have more than 12 quilts waiting to be quilted. I get so anxious at this point. I would love to figure out how to use good notes. I was just going to buy those forms.
I can't afford to have *all* of my quilts quilted by a longarmer - so, I'll be doing a lot of them myself this coming year! As for Good Notes, I'll drop a video soon on how we can use Good Notes to assist with our quilting lives!
Ha! Sorry didn’t mean to sound snarky. I hope it didn’t come across like that. This is why I don’t always comment. Ugh! You work hard and I think you are amazing. Nothing snarky meant. I tell you I really wish we had a nice quilt shop near me. That would be so nice. I would love to go and have just a little help and encouragement to get them finished. Also I look for to the good notes. Like I said you are a talented person and I have learned a lot from you.
Thanks Becca! (I’m one of the freaks that only works on one quilt at a time. )
I envy you! My brain won’t let me focus on just one project at a time. I always have multiple pokers in the fire.
I got a small list of quilts ( less then 10) I want to get done, ideas mainly not certain patterns...my question is When picking a quilt to do how do you know how much time it will take you to do it if your a beginner
I don't document down the hour, it's more like "weeks/months" that I'm thinking about. I think about the complexity of the project (is this just a bunch of straight seams - or are there a ton of half-square triangles?) - the type of piecing (is it traditional or FPP?) and how big the quilt is and usually "t-shirt" size from there. For example, my Mufasa at Night quilt (the Legit Kit I'm working on) I'd size as "XL"; while a Jelly Roll Race might be "S" or "M".
My. mom's a beginner, too - and the advice I give her is no more than 3 active WIPs at a time. As one is completed, she can bring another into the rotation. This gives her a chance to have some variety and bounce from one project to the other. Additionally, in that rotation - I try to make sure there's a project she can work on alone and a different one that challenges her!
Thank you. This will help. I've never planned out stuff so this year I'm going to try a quilting journal to help me stay on track with my quilts. And projects I want to get done.👍
Am I seeing empty project boxes behind you? Awesome job on getting them empty Becca!
Yes you are! I kicked butt in 2023 using these same tips...and if all goes according to plan, ALL of my UFOs and WIPs will be *DONE*
Thank you for the organization tutorial. I always work better if I have a guidelines and details. I think you pdf is a super idea. Unfortunately I don't have a computer or printer. Is there a way I can use it on my phone?
Yes! You can import the PDFs into Good Notes and use the Good Notes app to mark up the PDFs as needed! I'll drop a video soon on doing just that!
Would there be any chance to do a bargello my granddaughter is being married in July please and THankyou.
I gifted a kit to a friend that I was hoping I would find the courage to start. After looking at it for 5 years, it has left the building and now living in another house where it will be made.
There's something so freeing about letting go of a project that's just stressing you out!
Hi everyone
Do you have suggestions to estimate the time requirements? I struggle with that.
I just think about the technique, number of pieces, and size of the quilt then I give the project a tshirt size. For example, a jelly roll race might be a medium where a full legit kit would be XL
Where did you get your hanging wrap/trash holder that you have hanging on the table beside you???
It’s the Gypsy Quilter trash bin!
@@sewbecca thank you for the info
Don’t buy anymore fabric?….. young Lady, you’ve gone to meddling now. 😂😂 ❤
I didn’t say don’t buy ANY fabric, LOL! Just be more conscious of what you are buying! 😉
"Tips, tricks and strategies" is "JUST GET IT DONE QUILTS" catch phrase.
lol, it is. I’m a huge fan of Karen! Apparently she’s rubbed off on me, lol
Great tips Becca! TY♥️🧵
You are so welcome!