How many projects are you working on - now?

I am mighty easy-going about that, Bonnie. I enjoy having several projects going and simply pick up whichever one calls to me. I might feel like piecing and I might feel like feathering. When creativity escapes me, I run bobbins. For sure, there's this - if you enjoy starting projects and never finish one, there will be very few hungry children in Balaahongwuggula affected - and you will not poke your eye out. OTOH, if you have promised a crib quilt and the recipient is already in his 3rd year at a university, well . . . that's kind of awful. Polly

"Bonnie NJ" I've wondered if I have a problem. When I stop to think of all the

And I thought I had alot going! You're making me tired. For me I have a king ready to be bound; a queen I'm in the process of hand quilting; a top from a paper-pieced class I want to finish up (and I'm past the paper piecing, just have pinwheel blocks to make and put the balance of the top together) and need to purchase fabric for a twin I'll be doing for my niece and then get that going. Plus I have a few things I've bought at shows to try. Plus a quilt a friend gave me that she started and hates. All that's left to do is the quilting and binding and she gave me everything for it. Oh, and my BOM from my LQS.

I don't usually have this many projects going simultaneously. Too much to think about for me but I started some traditions and felt compelled to keep them up along with all the other stuff I've been working on. I don't have enough room to have multiple projects being cut and sewn at the same time so I'm trying to at least get the one top done before I start on the next quilt.

I say whatever works for you as to what to work on when. For me, sometimes I'm in the mood to piece; sometimes to quilt; etc. I do usually try to piece when DH is not home and since I do my quilting while watching TV I can do that while he's home and we're watching the tube so I'm usually able to multi-task reasonably well - at least at the moment. Then, sometimes I'm not in the mood to do either!

Good luck!

Kim in NJ

I currently have 4 bed-size quilts in progress -- 2 I have simply put away for a while, 1 I am anxious to get back to by November, and 1 I am pushing to finish in October. There are two more I want to start but am holding off on even looking at, and one tote bag to make. I never have more than one project going when I am knitting, but quilting just seems to proliferate somehow!

If "working on" includes designing and in my mind getting colors figured out, then there are many. In actuality I just bound my niece's baby quilt [due end of Nov], have the top done and need to tie it [little boy's baby quilt due in Nov], two more baby quilts waiting to start [both due in March]. May be starting a wedding quilt for a co-worker. There are always projects to do.

G> I've wondered if I have a problem. =A0When I stop to think of all the

I actually only work on one quilt at a time. There are stacks of other projects sitting around, but only one in progress. I'm working on a pink/brown/green/cream Miss Rosie quilt that is both pieced and appliqued. I do have my Over the River to bind, but I'm not counting that since it will be done today and go into the store for a few weeks of display.

Now when it comes to knitting, that's a whole different story. I try to have at least 2 going at once--one on large needles, one on small. That way, when my hands get tired, I can switch off.

joan p.s. Whatever works for you if fine for you.

I usually have a hand project and a machine project going. Right now I'm almost done machine quilting a stack'n'whack lap quilt. I bound it after I had done SITD between the blocks and borders, so when I finish the quilting, it's done. I'm also finishing up the hand quilting on my Adoration wall hanging. I just have the border left. I also have several tops to be quilted, a crib quilt that needs a border, and a posy four patch that I started at a retreat last year and has to have the rows of blocks sewn together. I've got a lot of other projects that I have planned, including the fabric: a couple jackets for me, "big-girl" bed quilts for the 2 youngest granddaughters, a crib quilt for the grandbaby due in Feb, and a bag for my daughter. But the next project after I finish the current quilt is a "Dorothy" dress for the oldest granddaughter's birthday next month. I have the fabric and pattern for that and I hope it goes quickly. I'm not going to run out of things to do at any time soon.

Julia in MN

Bonnie NJ wrote:

Bonnie, I also have several in progress:

Quilted Diamonds (long-term project with no real deadline) Hand appliquéed floral -- needs quilting Landscape -- needs embellishment :O and binding/facing Mini TATW -- needs quilting Machine silk ribbon embroidery -- the newest, just begun in class on Saturday Floral top -- fabrics and supplies gathered, need to get this made for a class in January

I hate having this many going at once, but sometimes it just "happens". Luckily, the two classes I'll be taking in Houston are technique classes, rather than project classes, so that won't add to the list. LOL! One of them, in fact, will probably help me get around to finishing the hand appliquéed piece. Oh, and BTW, all of these projects are small!

Hi Bonnie,

Just my $.02... It depends on your habits/personality. If you're the kind of person that never (or rarely) finishes what they start, then I think I'd exercise some discipline and stick with one or two until they were finished before taking on any more.

OTOH, if you generally do finish things, I wouldn't worry about it. Timeliness may be a significant factor/criterion.

Doc

No, you don't have a problem! And that's what I tell myself all the time.

I have a table runner I'm preparing for a church bazaar, a double wedding ring hand-piecing project that I work on when we travel, three quilts made from swap blocks ready to be quilted, three sets of blocks from swaps ready to be put together into tops, a wedding quilt for my nephew (married in May

2008) ready to be quilted, a wedding quilt for my niece (married October 2008 and I haven't even started cutting this one yet!), and four tops I bought off eBay to be quilted. But other than that, I think I have things under control! Oh, and there's one quilt in the process of being machine quilted - I almost forgot that one! Oops, and my purple quilt that I've started cutting out and will probably go to charity. But that's all - really!

IMO it can't get finished if it never gets started. If you tend to be a finisher, then please start as many as you like! And even if you don't finish them all, that's OK too. You will have learned something from each one. And maybe you'll provide inspiring (or not) projects for future generations of quilters :-)

I have about that many under way, haven't really counted. (D>I've wondered if I have a problem. When I stop to think of all the

Well.... I have a lot of "in progress" projects going (and ongoing.........) Several are bound but "need more quilting", but I don't think I can do the quilting I want to do on them. Many tops made that need to be quilted. Dear Jane, which I need to get back to hand quilting (But summer in Phoenix is not a good time to sit with that much quilt on your lap.) Way too many that are stalled for one reason or another..... mostly time and energy lacks. And I keep having to make more class samples. sigh. (but grins too.....) (Many of the "needs more quilting" are class samples that got enough quilting to display, but not a lot more.) A few years ago I started to count.... gave up at over 20 tops to be quilted and at least that many WIPs. (And yes, some of the hesitation is fear of screwing up, and other medical/emotional problems. )

So do what makes you happy. Pati, > I've wondered if I have a problem. =A0When I stop to think of all the

Thanks all, I must say, I do finish quilts. I guess I really need a deadline. When I'm sewing for others it's never a problem. However, when I'm sewing for myself - it's whenever I feel like working on a project. I do hope to improve, at least slightly ;-) Bonnie NJ

As long as the deadline pressure doesn't have a negative effect on your results. You know that better than any of us. ;-)

Doc

Hi Bonnie,

Hmmm. Here's my list: piecing blocks on the machine for a quilt for a friend; cutting and hand-piecing blocks for a scrappy quilt; cutting pieces for a scrappy Drunkard's Path (figure while I'm cutting for one, I may as well cut for another). These are current at the moment. However, when the weather gets cool, I will switch from my hand-piecing to do some hand-quilting on a top that is complete. Waiting in the wings--3 tops needing quilting, and a quilt that I need to finish machine piecing some blocks for.

So, no, I don't think you're out of the ordinary having so many projects going at once.

That said, I am trying to make the effort to get more focused so that I can actually complete something in my lifetime. HA! Part of my problem has been trying different things, like machine quilting for example, and finding that it is really one of my least favorite things to do. So I try to tell myself that I can only do one of my more favorite things, like piece blocks, after I've got so much machine quilting done. Keeps me going forward. Right now though, I have a reprieve since my mom is using the machine we have for quilting. HA!

Best regards, Michelle in Nevada

I think there can be a real upside to that. A while back someone (apologies for my horrible memory) started a thread about having a bad day when seemingly nothing was working. When that happens, having diverse projects (different enough than whatever's vexing you) could be just the thing to keep you going.

Doc

I'm nearly under control!!!!

I've nearly caught up with myself. I had so many WIPs and UFOs that NASA was after me for ground-rent! However, now I have

1) A lap-sized wholecloth in Welsh style with a deadline for Wednesday week and a little too much left to do. 2) Ongoing Jane Austen Diamonds hand piecing blue-and-white that I do when I need to super concentrate and keep out of my head 3) A couple of pincushion kits I got at a Quilt Fair that I want to make up for Christmas presents. A couple of hours a-piece

Then I have three wholecloths sandwiched (one lapquilt for DS and two bog-standard cushions), ready to go, so all the hard work done.

I may do a machine-piecing one, when the wholecloth is finished, so that I can play with the SM, but I haven't decided which of the miriad of 'ideas' I shall use for that, yet.

Yep. Under control. Like that. Nel (Gadget Queen)

I wish you wouldn't say "I'm nearly under control". It's kind of like saying "No child of Mine will Ever . . ." Just seems to me that you may be just asking for trouble. Polly

"Sartorresartus" Yep. Under control. Like that.

You shouldn't think of it as a problem, rather that you are filled with inspiration. I have lacked inspiration for many, many months now, as evidenced by my currently working on one quilt, one BOM quilt, and only one UFO in the closet. So count yourself as one of the lucky ones!

Trixie