Quilter’s New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year Quilters!

It is that time of year again, where we all make those New Years Resolutions. And one of those resolutions is that we will keep our resolutions – right??

One of my resolutions this year is to help you keep your promises to yourself. You are probably wondering how I am going to do that.

I just spent the last few weeks finishing up projects to gift at Christmas…I think we all were. At least this year, I wasn’t sewing up until Christmas Eve 🙂

During that time, I was also noodling about what I will accomplish in 2025. That is when it hit me. My brain comes up with way more than my hands can finish!

You see that picture of my sewing table? That is just a few of my projects in progress… Yup – full transparency here. I love to dream up projects. Finishing them is the issue.

I don’t own Hermione’s time turner – and I really wish I did. So, I can’t create more time. Or be in two places at once.

Instead, I need to set more realistic goals for myself. And I am betting you are one of those people too.

Let’s face it, quilters don’t accumulate closets full of fabric, notions and patterns because they exercise self-control and restraint. We see lovely things and we want to make them. And that shiny object syndrome sets in as we see the next amazing project.

Not Sure This Applies to You?

Do you dream of quilts in your sleep? Think about them while driving anywhere? Contemplate where you can use that fabric you just found?

At the same time, you promise yourself (an your significant other) that you will finish this project before you buy the next one… And sometimes you have trouble keeping that promise?

You sign-up for your guild’s UFO competition just to get motivated.

You feel guilty at the projects languishing in your house. But it doesn’t hurt enough to keep you from the next quilt shop or show?

I thought so.

In that case, you need to become familiar with the following terms.

QUIMM: Quilt In My Mind. That is the quilt you keep dreaming about making.

HIPS: Hundreds of Ideas Piling Skyward. These are all the quilts you are going to make this year.

HSY: Haven’t Started Yet. These are the ones you bought last year, or the year before…

NESTY: Not Even Started Yet. And this is the one you thought you would give as a gift at Christmas…

WDL: Will Do Later. This is that quilt you found in a magazine and bought the fabric for. But someone was having a baby, so you had to make that quilt first.

PIP: Project in Progress. That baby quilt for the shower being held tomorrow – you know the one.

PhD: Projects Half Done. Okay – this is for the wedding that isn’t for another month. You have time.

UFO: Unfinished Object. Remember that class you took in the fall and you swore you would finish it in a weekend?

WIP: Work in Progress. What you are taking on retreat with you.

WISP: Work in Slow Progress. That quilt your sister convinced you to make for her…..

DQ: Dragon Quilt. The quilt you have dragged to soccer matches, dance practice, doctor appointments, etc.

TBQ: To Be Quilted. Give me credit – it is pieced at least.

PIGS: Projects in Grocery Sacks. I am just saying that little totes stack much better than plastic bags….

SQUID: Sewing a Quilt Until I Die. What was I thinking when I decided to make this one? I don’t even like it anymore.

DFN: Done For Now. I am sticking a pin in this one. It is good enough. Honestly, we need to say that more often.

VIP: Very Important Project. This is the one that makes it to the top of the list. For me, these are the ones that I get paid for!

WIWMI: Wish It Would Make Itself. Have you ever had the quilt that spends more time with your seam ripper than your presser foot?

WOMBAT: Waste of Money, Batting, and Time. We have all had these…. The project that just doesn’t measure up. You love the pattern or fabric and it just didn’t come together as you envisioned.

TOAD: Trashed Object Abandoned in Disgust. I have had a few of these. Not matter what I did, it just would not work!

TGIF: Thank God It’s Finished. Glad its done Hope they like it. I never want to see it again.

WWIT: What Was I Thinking?  That happens every time I open my closet to see my projects staring back at me.

The Issue

You may be giggling, crying, or shaking your head right now… Hopefully, you are still reading.

If you can relate to any of those statements, you might have over-commitment-itis. Your eyes are bigger than your schedule will allow.

And that may lead to some anxiety. A few disagreements with your significant other. A little guilt. A slimmer wallet. A bigger credit card bill.

As much as we joke about it, having unfinished projects is not great for our psyche. Quilting is therapeutic as long as we don’t make it stressful.

The Stress Less Process

You are about to get the engineering side of my brain here. So please be patient.

Of course, the engineer in me couldn’t resist giving you a spreadsheet to do this! Here is the link.

Step 1. Inventory

Take a simple inventory of your project. This should include works in progress and ones that you have purchased but not started.

Record what step the project is in. Ones that are nearer to completion may be easier to get over the finish line!

Step 2. Like Factor

Determine how much you like the project on a scale of HIGH, MEDIUM and LOW.

You are much more likely to finish a project you love than one you don’t. This will help you prioritize your work. You can always slip a project you aren’t as keen on between two you really love. The momentum can keep you going.

At this point, you may have project you already know you just don’t want to do. We will talk about what to do with those in another blog. So, stay tuned.

Step 3. Headache Factor

Then, rate the project on the level of complexity. This is different from the standard beginner, confident beginner, intermediate and advanced that is provided on the pattern cover. Those are skill levels.

The level of complexity is more the type of piecing, number of pieces, size of quilt. number of steps, etc. For example, an easy quilt is panel quilt with simple borders. A moderate quilt is a throw with pieced blocks. Meanwhile, a hard quilt has tons of piecing varying block or section sizes – think medallions with foundation piecing. This is subjective and based on your comfort level (not skill level).

I call this the headache factor.

Step 4. Level of Effort

This step is a little tricky. Realistically, determine how long it will take you to complete the projects you really like. You can calculate the others later…

Make sure to include:

• Binding
• Cutting
• Piecing
• Applique
• Quilt Assembly
• Quilting – if you quilt your own

Step 5. Dash of Realism

We all have a tendency to overestimate our capabilities. That is ok. But life often gets in the way of our expectations. So, we add a dash of realism to our level of effort.

Multiply the level of effort by

• 2 for Easy Projects
• 3 for Moderate Projects
• 4 for Hard Projects

This may seem harsh. And you may actually be good at estimating your time. And life may not throw you any curveballs. (Last year, life threw me a double header with cancer and my mom’s passing).

But won’t you feel so much better if you finish ahead of schedule rather than behind schedule??? This is part of setting realistic expectations.

Step 6. Available Time

Next, look at your schedule. See how much time you have on average to quilt.

Take into account the time you spend at work, taking care of family, exercising, eating, sleeping, etc.

If you are a lucky quilter, you may have 8 hours per week. If you are retired, you may have 24 hours per week. If you are don’t sleep, you may have more than that!

Multiply the hours per week by 50. Why not 52? Well, you probably take at least two weeks off between holidays and vacations. Plus, the math is easier!

Step 7. Setting Expectations

Now, compare your available time with your Inventory. How many of those quilts will you realistically finish?? That is your starting point.

You may find that you finish quilts more quickly than you originally thought. You may find that my “Dash of Realism” was off a bit.

Step 8. Adjusting Expectations

As you complete each step of your project, record how much time it actually takes you to complete a quilt. Use the Inventory sheet to keep track of those adjustments.

Now, compare your available time with your Inventory. How many of those quilts will you realistically finish?? That is your starting point.

You may find that you finish quilts more quickly than you originally thought. You may find that my “Dash of Realism” was off a bit.

You may even want to update some of your estimations based upon your actual levels of effort.

This evergreen inventory will help you prioritize your projects, set realistic expectations, and maybe even pare down your project list. This will give you the grace and permission to say yes to more or no to more!

Feel free to modify this process so it works for you.

Next Steps

Stay tuned for our next article, which may give you some ideas on what to do with projects you have “outgrown”.

If you like this process, please comment on this article and subscribe for more goodness in your inbox.

Happy Quilting!