Getting More Done

Organizing Yourself and Your Sewing Room

DMAQGJanuary 27, 2015

Attacking those Projects!

• Why keep a list?– Helps focus– Do I have everything I need?– Track your accomplishments

• Add a photo• Summary information

– Pattern/design source– Why I made it– Who it was for– Where did I exhibit it

– Help develop your skills and demonstrate your growth

Ways to keep your list

• Quilt Project Documentation– Inbox Jaunt – Lori Kennedy• www.inboxjaunt.com• Your complete quilt life, storing all your ideas

– Page for each quilt– Websites you visit– Unfinished Projects page (more on that later)– Works in Progress– Mastered Skills– Techniques to Try– Twelve Essential Skills Every Quilter Should Know

Ways to keep your list, cont.

– Computer Lists• Spreadsheet• Word• Other software

– Martha’s Planner Contents• Annual progress• Tops• UFOs• Projects I want to do

First, Make a List of Projects

– Add ALL projects– Go through all of those boxes and bins!– Add notes about where you are on the project

• Is it a top?• Is it blocks?• Is it a stack of fabric?

– Evaluate your list• Does it still excite you/will it bring you joy when finished?• Do you have everything you need?• If I don’t want to finish, what then? Revise the project. Donate.

Consider the “Mall in the Hall”• Don’t feel bad about changing your mind about a project

Ideas to Manage the List

• Sort into three categories (The Inbox Jaunt)

– Your Best Work (Important, Heirloom, the work you want to keep)

– Easy/Fun or quilts you can finish in a short amount of time

– Deadline quilts (babies, graduation, group projects, quilt show, etc.)

• Pick one from each category to work on concurrently

Examples from members to help make their space work for them

• Different things work for different people• You don’t have to go purchase a new system• See what you have that you can make work• New items are fun! • Cutting tables/worktops• Use bed risers under the legs to make them higher for

better back comfort• Kitchen islands or similar worktops designed for other

uses (may be less expensive than custom sewing tables)

• Fabric/thread– Use plastic containers with partitions for thread, including containers

marketed for other purposes (e.g., MatchBox toy storage containers)– Use golf tees to keep bobbins and matching thread spools together.– Sort fabric by color/style.– Stand folded fabric on edge in bins to easily see all fabrics.

• Ironing stations– Use door as ironing surface; cover with batting and fabric– Use elevated wall hook for cord to keep cord from getting tangled.– Shelf or bag attached to right end of ironing surface for spray starch,

pressing bar, etc.– Attach power strip to ironing board for iron and lighting.

• Organizing tools– Use peg boards on walls for easy access and easy storage of

accessories.– Lazy susan beside the sewing machine for easy access to markers,

scissors, small rulers, etc.– A rolling tool chest for taking supplies to workshops/retreats

• Other– Install separate electrical circuits for ironing

station and sewing machine– Save magazine articles in sheet protectors in

binders rather than saving complete magazines– Store rulers in a desktop file organizer rack

Additional Storage Ideas

• Ice cube trays for small supplies• Pedicure toe separators for bobbins• CD cases for templates• Silverware dividers for scraps and strips• Altoid or mint tins for safely disposing of needles and

blades• Cardboard tubes from aluminum foil or plastic wrap for

fat quarters or fusible interfacing• Spice Cabinets for notions• Galvanized buckets with chalkboard labels on pot rack