March Studio Organizing
Posted on March 25, 2026 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeHow did you do with your old UFOs? I really loved hearing what you all were working on — so many bindings! — and some of them made me laugh. Projects can sure get some age on them really fast, can’t they?
Since I’m not letting myself start anything new, I’ve been digging around in the old projects, and every now and then, I pull out one that makes it seem like I started something new! For this challenge, I grabbed a bag of embroidered blocks that my grandmother had been working on. It was her only UFO when she passed away (back in 2000). I seriously doubt that I will have only one left when it’s my time to go, the way things are looking now!
There are 12 blocks, and she had 9 of them done, and I had completed the other three. All that was left was to set them together. I’m pretty sure my grandmother would have just purchased some navy solid and set them together with straight sashing. But I thought they deserved something more interesting.
So I pieced 6 alternate setting blocks, and I’m putting sashing on the side and corner setting triangles, with the embroidered blocks on point. And I’m making pretty good progress! All the blocks are made, trimmed, ready to go. I just have to sew it all together now. Isn’t it gonna be lovely? I think my grandmother would approve.
It’s kinda late in the month for the challenge this time, but we can rise to the occasion. I had to mull over exactly what needs doing around here, and here’s what I landed on:
Deal with the paper clutter
How does it pile up so????
I’ve been reading some things on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a couple different articles suggested just dealing with 5 little things a day, or putting away just 3 pieces of paper. The tiniest of steps, but make it a habit. So I think I’m gonna try to deal with mine in this way. Just a few minutes a day. Just a few pieces of paper a day. Not worrying about the entire big tall stack, or the overflowing files, or the things I can’t decide what to do with. Just the tiniest of steps. What’s the best way to eat an elephant??
In this way, it won’t feel like I have to stop working or completely quit sewing in order to get my paper piles in order. After all, I still have lots of UFOs to deal with, too!
How are your paper piles? Will they be easy to tackle? Or does this sound like a method that could help you, too?
That was a perfect question “how does it pile up so”. It seems like every guild meeting we end up with several handouts and they get piled on top of the last ones. I pick them up, look at them, and pile them up again. Sometimes I move the pile. There are some from a workshop that I took in April or May of last year. Thanks for the challenge, NOW is the time to deal with them.
I did get one UFO quilted and yesterday I started the binding.
I didn’t make any progress on my proposed old UFO, but I did make good progress on two recent ones. I’m okay with that as long as project piles are receding. I also made good progress on finishing a challenge from December (I think) that I was still trying to conquer which was putting away all my donated fabric and scraps. I’m down to pressing some bigger pieces to put on my shelves and tipping a tub of stuff into a garbage bag. The paper challenge is perfect for this month. My paper piles are taking over.
Your quilt is beautiful!! Can’t wait to see how you quilt it.
Oh my goodness, what you’ve done with those precious blocks is just gorgeous and such a wonderful tribute to your grandmother. Please share the info you’ve read about CBT and tackling the clutter. I’m paralyzed by it!
I never even thought about touching any of my old UFOS. I also highly doubt that I will deal with paper clutter. Right now the studio is on the back burner and is not very high on the list of things to do. I think my motivation is on vacation!
Since it’s 2026, I think I will try to deal with 26 paper items a day–will see how long I can keep that momentum going!!!
A wonderful solution for your grandmothers blocks! It will be stunning!