Hello and happy Friday! I’m checking in after a week of marathon sewing! You see, the sample yardage for our next-to-be-announced fabric collection arrived and I’m on a really tight deadline this time around. I don’t think I’ve ever tried to sew so much so fast. But I’m enjoying it! I had a little schedule for myself, and some days I meet my goals, and other days I don’t. But I am enjoying the journey as I am really loving these quilts! Today’s Sew Your Stash: Quilting Systems & Routines post is something I thought a lot about as I was busy sewing this week.
Sew Your Stash: Quilting Systems & Routines
I recently listened to a productivity podcast that talked about systems and routines we all use in our daily lives to help keep us on track. Most of us have morning routines, household routines, after work routines, weekend routines, and bedtime routines. As I listened to the podcast I couldn’t help think of sewing room routines that I regularly use. Here are some of my favorite tips (and you might also enjoy this one from the past: “Just 3 Things“).
1. Doing a Quick-Clean and Review on a Regular Basis
The routine that probably helps me stay on track with my sewing more than any other is doing a quick clean-up and review of projects and deadlines on a regular basis. For me that means weekly because my hobby is also something I do professionally. While quick cleaning and straightening are always helpful, you might only need to review projects monthly or quarterly depending on the number of works in progress you have.
2. Leaving Something Ready to Sew or Work On
I’ve mentioned this before, but it is oh, so helpful. I try never to leave my sewing room without leaving something to be sewn or cut that I can just dive right into. Last night I left some blocks ready to be sewn on my sewing table and about 200 half-square triangles on another table that just need the dog-ears trimmed. That way I can get right to work without having to think about my next steps.
3. Keep a Travel-Project Bag Ready
This helps a lot as well. My travel project for the past few years has been working on English Paper-Pieced hexagons (see my tutorial and method for this fun project here). Now that I have a new fabric collection to work with, I’m going to hurry up and add some of those fabrics to my travel bag so I can make one of these with the new fabrics. I also have a couple of stitchery projects in bags that are ready to go at a moment’s notice. I love being able to take these projects on road trips or teaching events when I might have wait times in the airport.
4. Set a Regular Time to De-Stash and Purge
I’ve really been working on this one in 2019 and am going to be doing a major clean up when I return from teaching at the Restore and Restock event in Dallas next week. While I’ll be putting some things in my Etsy shop, I also will be donating to charity groups and organizations.
Do You Have Favorite Sewing Routines or Systems?
If you have something along these lines that works well for you, I’d love to have you leave a comment or email me so I can share it in a future post! Also, you can find the rest of the posts in my Sew Your Stash series here.
What are some of your favorite quilting systems and routines? Share in a comment below!
Happy quilting, and thanks so much for stopping by!
Becky Turner says
While I am not near as organized in my sewing space as you are I do have one “routine” in my sewing room that is a life saver. I listed to a lot of audio books when I get past the figure it out stage in my quilting. Every time I finish a disk when I get up to change it I stretch and move around and stretch again. Helps at the end of the day .
Diane says
I love the tip on leaving something ready to work on. I wouldn’t have to think about what to work on…just do it. And I struggle with managing my stash. I think I need to write on my calendar a couple days a month to work on cutting and organizing. Thanks for all your quilty tips!
Jill Currie says
I love this series – so many helpful ideas. I love to make scrap quilts and am forever moving piles of fabric around my sewing space. If I set aside time once a week to tidy up and cut fabric for my scrap storage system, maybe, in time, I will get on top of it all. I admit to feeling overwhelmed at times and just shut the door on it all but then I have to waste time on my next sewing session in making space to continue on one of my current projects. Thank you for the inspiration. I love your blog.
Jill Currie says
I love this series – so many helpful ideas. I love to make scrap quilts and am forever moving piles of fabric around my sewing space. If I set aside time once a week to tidy up and cut fabric for my scrap storage system, maybe, in time, I will get on top of it all. I admit to feeling overwhelmed at times and just shut the door on it all but then I have to waste time on my next sewing session in making space to continue on one of my current projects. Thank you for the inspiration. I love your blog.
Cheryl Gamble says
Your tip about coming to a “starting point” not a “stopping point,” has totally changed the way I sew and has increased my productivity and efficiency. As someone who works full time, it is nice to walk in the sewing room and something is ready to go. Whether I have 15 minutes or an hour, I can get right to work, then prep something for my next session. Thanks for that tip!
Jan Main says
Thank you for the great tips! tips! I have the routine of jotting down a few notes in a notebook ( nothing fancy) as to what I accomplished during that session or day. Just a line or two reminds me as to where I’’m at in a project. I sometimes write down the step that comes next. Most of all it reminds me that even though it sometimes feels like I don’t accomplish a lot but when I look back it
Reminds me that even a little bit each day gets the job done!