Time, time, T I M E - Getting more time in.

Post Thanksgiving turkey hangover, and now you need to find the time to get things up and running in your sewing room, time is on your side - or is it?
It is time now to get to those projects that will be Christmas gifts, and you are looking for the time to finish them all.  How do you organize yourself to get all of them done.
Time management comes in many forms unfortunately not often in our sewing rooms. Here are few tips I use to get things completed in time for a dead line I set for myself.

1. Make a list!  Always
2. Get the projects out and realize what is left to do on each, write it down on the list.
3. Move all other distractions out of the way, put them away and do not look at them.
4. Organize the to do list by the amount of work needing to be done - least first.
   1. Least amount of work to do gets a project completed and ready to go
   2. Relieves stress when you see your list getting shorter.
   3. Reward yourself with something when one is done and another started
5. Work down the list, by ensuring you have all things ready for that project ready to go.  If you have to go out to get more fabric or thread - mark that one as a move to bottom of list.  Do not go out right then, you will get lost in other ideas, and projects you bring home with you.
6. If binding find the easiest way to do so.  If you do not use clips try them they make the work much easier, if you hand sew binding onto the back try machining it to make it go faster, if you need to quilt it all over do in the simplest way you can or you will be on that project longer than you thought.  And finally if you have one to quilt and one to complete other things on, bounce back and forth on them.  Getting a little done on each one.
7. Remember, you may not get them all done in time - and that is okay.

Letting these items go to long and not being able to finish them in time for the holidays is one way to get frustrated.  Frustration leads to mistakes, which lead to items flying, and colorful words cutting the air; when you should be cutting fabric!
If you can not finish all of your Holiday projects it is OK, there will be other days you can give them.  But time management should be on the list for the start of the new year.  Useful tips for the coming 2018 quilting season - YES season!  It is like hunting season without out licenses and permits, and freezing your arse off out in the woods!

1. Start a Diary January 1st - This will let you do a lot of things.
   • Allows you to get the list ready for what you need to work on fist and foremost
   • Allows you to put in the information of each project i.e. pattern, size, block number, thread and fabric combinations, who it is for, when you started it, and you plan to finish it and when you plan to gift it. This should be for each project.  Your first pages should be your index of projects.
   • Place projects in bins or containers with patterns and information
2. Be consistent - Have a consistent program for how you list your projects in your diary.  Be sure to include the date you added them, and and a projected date to complete - estimations are fine life happens.
3. Clean your sewing area regularly, so you have a good space to work in.  Creative chaos is a way to create, but also a way to get lost and or lose your mojo.
4. Organize your fabric - keep it together by color, pattern, size or project.  Just keep it organized life will be easier and more productive.
5. When you add to your stash, know what you have before hand.  Purchase complementing fabrics for what you have already.
6. Plan your budgets for new items like new machines, or equipment you have wanted but did not get for Christmas. Destash fabric to add to this fund as well, if you have had it for more than two years get it out.
7. Change up your space - make it more cohesive for you.
   • Finally Do NOT add more to the list than you can handle time wise.  Do not plan on 17 quilts in 10 months unless it is doable, this will also distract you, frustrate and hinder the creativity. For every large project put in two or three small ones like table runners, lap quilts, or pillows.  Having this set up will give you variety and allow you breaks in your larger projects to think on them when you get stuck, or is just a pain the arse.   

A few time saving tips can help make your sewing time better and more enjoyable.  Remember to take the time to organize yourself regularly.  Clean up - really clean up like the floors, cutting table, sewing machine area (especially when your machine is serviced) - make next years appointment when you pick up at this servicing too.  Put it on the calendar and a note in your diary as well. Keep your machine service records and receipts in your diary.
Remember: An unfinished quilt is waiting to love.
Until Next time - time TIME T I M E - enjoy your creativity and the love that goes in will be returned many a fold.