I hear it often. When someone finds out I’m a quilter, he/she says, ” I don’t have time to quilt.” Neither do I, really. I’m momma to four active children, wife to Mr. Wonderful, keeper of my house, and teacher at my LQS, Loving Stitches. So, how do I make finished quilts happen?
I break the task into smaller parts. Like most large chores, a quilt doesn’t happen overnight. Here are my basic steps!
First, I spend a little time planning. This can be simple, since sometimes we quilters have more ideas than time! But, sometimes I take time to gather supplies, sketch out ideas, or play in EQ6 software!
Second, I plan a cutting session. This usual takes me an afternoon, and it’s “bite sized”. When I finish this part, I put it away. That way, I’m not sharing space with my project!!
Third, I cut my construction up into small pieces as well, depending on pattern. The key with any large quilt, in particular, is to not work on it continually. Else you’ll be sick of it!
After the top is constructed, I will sometimes put it away for a few days. The trick is to break your project into managable pieces!
I spend an afternoon basting, on the floor! Not my favorite part of the process!
It takes me a good long time to quilt a large quilt. I allow myself weeks to accomplish this, and I honestly have to be in the mood!
Another day for binding…..and it’s complete!
If you’re thinking of making a quilt, or doing any new, large project, break it into small, bite sized parts! You can do it!!!
This is a great tip, Stacy, and I agree whole-heartedly. I’ve been working on a small wall quilt of scrappy house blocks for 2 weeks. Piece-meal, 15 to 30 minutes here and there. Maybe I’ll have time to sew the rows together today. Tomorrow, I’ll attach the border. Slowly but surely, it will come together, and by next week, I’ll have a fresh, new wall quilt!
good advice for making a quilt – and for other projects, too!