Hello! We woke up to a power outage that ended up lasting over eight hours, so the day didn’t exactly go as planned. I was grateful it happened on a day we had mild temperatures, though. And while I wasn’t able to sew, I did get my floor mopped and took a nice walk. Today I’m sharing some of my best time-saving tips for quilters, and I hope these ideas will help you as much as they have helped me.
Like most quilters, I’m constantly looking for ways to get more things accomplished in the sewing room. And while I’m writing the Sew Your Stash series in order to share time-saving methods, organizational ideas, and scrap project finds, the things I’m writing about today seemed to merit a stand-alone post. One way I save a lot of time is by applying the “time-blocking” or “time-batch” method to my quilting. Basically, both of these terms refer to grouping like tasks together in your schedule in order to save time. Below are some types of activities quilters can group together in order to save a lot of time.
Best Time-Saving Tips for Quilters
1. Set Times for Finding Project Inspiration
Whether you get your ideas from scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest (follow my boards here) or from looking through quilting magazines and books (find some of my favorite quilting books here), it makes sense to set some specific times for finding inspiration. It’s much too easy to spend all of our time looking at projects, rather than sewing projects!
2. Make Goal Setting and Review a Regular Activity
While it seems like I’m adding to your list with this one, I feel like setting and reviewing goals actually saves a lot of time in the long run. I used to organize yearly and quarterly, but lately I’ve found that a monthly review has kept me more on track with things.
3. Cut out Multiple Projects at Once
Last week I was able to sew quite a lot of blocks because I had them all cut out and ready to sew. Earlier in the week I had taken the time to cut out four different Block Heads blocks, twelve Village house quilt blocks, and my Fat Quarter Shop quilt along blocks. I had them all organized on project boards and sitting on my sewing machine. I actually have four more blocks sitting there ready to sew now. If you’re working on a few different long-term projects, you can save a lot of time by setting aside a specific time for cutting so that your sewing time can be better utilized.
4. Set Specific Times for “Stash Management” & Organization
When I sew, my sewing room gets cluttered. While I try to do a quick pick-up at the end of each sewing session, it just isn’t enough. So I’ve been trying to dedicate some time each Friday afternoon or Saturday morning to do a more thorough go-over. This is also the time when I go through scraps and either cut them into smaller pieces to save, or add them to a bag to donate. By having a set time each week to review these tasks, I’m able to use my sewing time more efficiently.
5. Make the Best Use of Sewing Time
If you’ve addressed the use of time for looking at inspiration, goal setting, cutting out projects, and organization, you’ll find that you can use the remainder of your free time to simply sew and get things done. Of course the trick is to make sure you’re not spending more time on items 1-4 above than you are actually sewing. It seems everyone is busier than ever these days, so sewing has to be a priority. When I’m working on projects that have to be finished quickly I generally just work on one of those projects at a time until finished. But the rest of the time, I try to mix it up and work on multiple projects at once.
A Few More Thoughts
- Make the best use of Quilt Retreat and Quilt Class Sewing by having projects cut out and ready to go. This has been on my mind a lot lately as I have a few retreats coming up in the next month or so. You can read some of my favorite tips for attending quilt retreats and classes here.
- You can also use this method of time-management in other areas. For example, give yourself a time limit for texting and social media use. And schedule menu planning, housework, and family activities in advance.
I hope some of these best time-saving tips for quilters can help just a little. As always, if you have any other ideas or suggestions, please feel free to leave them in the comments. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Saartje says
Hi Sherri! this post is so NOT for me! It was a nice read, but my conclusion is that I don’t want to be more time efficient in the “sewing room” (aka the dining table). Sewing is my hobby and one of the main things I love about it is, that I DON’T have to get anything done to have a nice time. I like to keep some structure, so I know what I’m working on, but other than that the fun is in the pottering about. No goals, no deadlines, no stress :-). Plus, it’s actually much cheaper to sew slowly and “inefficiently” 🙂 . It’s a good way to get a lot of fun out of a little bit of fabric.
sherri McConnell says
I totally get what you’re saying! And I think most of us go through different phases…maybe where we want to be a little more organized/efficient…and then where we just want the joy of not worrying about it at all! Thank you so much for your perspective!
Sue H says
Great tips, Sherri! I too try to have several projects going at once. Pre-cutting is a wonderful way to provide incentive to get chores done since you know there is sewing just waiting for you! Lol!
Robin L. Davis says
HI Sherri. Thanks for your post. I always look forward to your organizational and goal setting articles. Thank you! xo
Mary Scott says
I am curious what you mean by project boards since I tend to have several things going and would like to do this
sherri McConnell says
Great question…I will share them on my Sew Your Stash post this week!
Brenda says
I really want to try the leaders and enders! This one sounds like fun !
Cinthia MacLean says
I discovered cutting fabric for multiple projects provides dedicated sewing time. The fabric is ready any time for sewing.
Melissa Reynolds says
I so look forward to your posts on stash management and how to sew more efficiently. While I am very organized and efficient in the rest of my life, I feel like a kid with ADHD in my sewing room. I have way too many projects in my head that I want to make, piles of ideas printed, and scraps of fabric everywhere. Reading your suggestions has helped me make a list of things I want to make rather than flitting from one thing to another. I watched a YouTube video last night on folding fabric using the Konmari (?) method that prompted me to dump out a huge bin of black and whites that were driving me crazy. I refolded and sorted the entire bin. Now I have the usable pieces in a scrapbook project box to use as a leaders and enders project while I work on a deadline for a t shirt quilt! Thanks ever so much!!
Catherine says
Thanks for your tips, Sherri. You inspired me to organize my sewing room. All my fabric was a mess. So I sorted by color and folded them all. Now I can see each section much better and choose which shade goes well together.
I only have two projects going at the same time. I don’t think I can handle any more. It’s too overwhelming for me to work on more than two projects; although, I have many projects going on in my head, lol.
I look forward to reading your blog.
Hildy says
My sewing time is my ‘enjoy’ time and I actually don’t really care about how much or what I got done in this time because it’s my realxing time. And perhaps that’s why my best time saving tip is to enjoy what you are working on. If you don’t enjoy it (and let’s face it we all have projects like this now and then) you keep draging it on and on. It’s just much more fun to sew what you love.
sherri McConnell says
So true, Hildy!
Catherine M Foy says
I love the use of project boards for laying out blocks to be sewn. It keeps everything together and orderly. I feel better when things are organized. Thanks for all the tips. CATHY
Helen says
Great ideas Sherri! I need to implement some of them! And I love the picture of you taking a picture of a quilt with your grandchild closely watchng: so adorable!!! That’s one that will be cherished by your daughter and kids!!! Hugs, H
Alice Bateman says
I am so happy I found this page & everything else. Now I want to get busy in my sewing room. I’ve been sick for 5 years, but this has all inspired me to go on with my quilts. Thanks so very much. GOD Bless Yall!
Janine Medley says
Your blog is so informative and inspirational. I am getting older, aren’t we all? I have 5 grandchildren now. I have decided to start this year on getting a quilt done for each grandchild and my two beautiful daughters. I call it legacy work. A true labor of love. Thanks for all your tips. I am following along with Sew your Stash 2019 and taking notes. God bless you.
Gwyn says
I work full time now, so I don’t have too much energy to quilt at night. I carve out a few hours here and there on the weekends. I’m a confident beginner, but sometimes I make things up as I go along. Sometimes i’m in the mood to be super organized. Most of the time I try to be organized before I sit down to sew. If I think in task oriented terms, the fun of sewing is gone.
sherri McConnell says
I really understand…someone else mentioned this in an earlier comment too. We all need to put the joy of sewing as our first priority!
Lori A says
I just found your blog and love your posts. Keep them coming and just know that there are people out here that appreciate the time you take to share with us. Thank you!
Denise says
Thank you for the tips, I love your posts about organization and love all the pics of your sewing area. I really like the idea of cutting blocks and using boards so everything is ready to sew. I’ve always been a cut as you go gal which really slows things down. I recently started cutting all my pieces and having them ready and it really helps speed my project along. Plus the use of lists really keeps me focused on the projects I really want to get done. I also really like your suggestions of have all the cutting done for several projects. I’m going to give that a whirl. Enjoy your blog and all your instagram pics.
Billie Shannon says
I’m working on a Judy Niemeyer quilt. It’s a UFO from a class way back when. Each day I’ve been completing one page of piecing. Before I go to bed I make sure that the pieces for the next session are prepared and ready to go.
Monica Kostak says
Reading your blog (and others) during my lunch is the best time saver for me-relaxing, enjoyable, and very inspirational. I keep my “journal” with me to write down ideas, review my UFO’s, and to just look at to see where I”m at, etc…I can’t do anything in the office but since I work a compressed schedule i have 2 sit and sew Fridays a month and I don’t leave the house unless it’s an emergency!. NO CHORES on these days either and i’m in comfy clothes. 🙂 . If there is time for additional sewing it will be on the weekends. .. This Friday I”m off ….an my lunch is now over 🙂 🙂
Kay Welch says
I have been implementing some of your tips since the beginning of 2018. I am participating in several BOM and mystery quilt alongs, plus my own projects, so being better organized was a must to maintain my enjoyment factor. I purchased several projects boxes (clear 12 x 12) and I use them to keep my projects sorted/contained/organized. One of my goals for 2019 is to have my scraps better organized and ready to use because I LOVE scrappy quilts. I think your studio space is lovely. My space works for me, but I want to add more art on the walls and also come up with a design board that will work for me and my space. Your blog posts never fail to give me ideas and inspiration. Thank you.
Phyllis says
Thank you! We’re in the process of moving in a few weeks. I get to double my sewing space. I’m so looking forward to implementing many of your ideas. As with others, sewing is my hobby, but I like for every moment to count for something., moving toward a goal. After going part time last year I made a commitment to be Doing something productive between 8 am and 4 pm. So, it’s either house work or sewing!
Donna Lee Lurker says
Hi, Sherri. Could you please tell me who makes your cutting table? I saw on an older post that the end has a top drawer for rulers, two cubbies below, and two file drawers at the bottom. I would love to be able to find that table!
sherri McConnell says
If you go to my “About” page (link at the top of my page…the cutting table information is there underneath the photo of it! I really do love it! Thank you!