October Studio Organizing, Task One
Posted on October 12, 2021 by prairiemoonquilts in Studio Organizing ChallengeThere’s only 3 months left until the end of the year. I want to get a lot more organizing done before 2022 starts — how about you? (I think I say that every year, tho.)
Honestly, as I use up, finish up, and get rid of things, my studio gets a bit better every year. I still have a ways to go, but I’ve learned a lot about my own habits, the way I work, and what I need to stay on top of all the time, and it’s really helping. Have you learned anything about yourself and the way(s) you work as you’ve done these challenges? I hope so.
For example, this entire year, I have kept my cutting table cleaned off, and I know exactly which projects are on it, and they are all ones I’m working on. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t get messy, but it doesn’t get messy with random stuff — it’s all current and in use. What an improvement for me!
I have also used up and gotten rid of a LOT of fabric, and purchased very little in the way of new pieces. A few fat quarters here and there, but mostly background and backing, which I never feel guilty about.
However, I’m still waiting for my UFO number to go down. We’ll see what happens in the next three months in that regard.
My friend, Donna, sent me this that she found on Facebook, and I can’t ever read it without laughing. It’s certainly one way to declutter!
So if you’re a handwork person, did you get your supplies in order? I found a tub to keep my 100 Days of Hand Embroidery project in, and put away some of the thread I had out that needed to go back where it belongs. And then I started another hand embroidery project — I’m hopeless! That’s what happens when you start organizing your thread, and get sidetracked!
And now once again, it’s time for a new challenge! I hope some of you signed up for the Declutter to Destash event over at Feel Good Fibers. Accountability and prizes — plus a cleaner studio — it’s a pretty good deal!
Meanwhile, here at the ol’ ranch, this is what I’ll be working on this time:
I decided to draw a card from the deck, and since I DO need to deal with some of my UFOs (and stop starting new ones), it seems like a good one. Since I can’t be back at the longarm full speed yet, I’ve been getting some time to sew for myself — I hate to say that a broken elbow seems like a blessing in disguise, but I AM loving the slower pace.
But hmmm . . . which one to choose? I let Random Number Generator choose for me, and it chose my Wild 9-Patch quilt! I’ve been making some progress on it, but I’m only about 1/3 done with all the blocks I need.
Since it uses pieces from my 2″ strips and 2″ squares pre-cut bins, I can sort through those and put together pieces for lots more blocks and move this one ahead, even if I only use it for leader/endering. I AM excited to see it finished, so this is a good one for me this time. I’ll see how many more blocks I can get made in the next couple weeks.
What about you? Do you have a UFO you’d like to move along and finally finish? Or even a current project you’d like to get done? I’d love to hear what you’re working on . . . or what you think you need to keep organizing.
Oh, that is a good one. I have 6 quilts I need to quilt – they are all ready to go but must make time! Also loving the tiny maple leaves & fishes but will choose something that needs to get done.
I picked my small UFO, a football pillow. I blogged about it here. https://melsquiltingblog.blogspot.com/2021/10/studio-clean-up-challenge.html
It’s not big, but it will be off my UFO list and off my 100-day list.
So, that is good.
I reorganized my hand sewing stuff. Here is the blog post about that https://melsquiltingblog.blogspot.com/2021/09/studio-clean-up-challenge.html
Since I did this with you years ago, my cutting table and pressing table stay clear. When they do get messy, I’m quick to clean them.
right now, my house is a mess. The laundry room is torn apart and bathroom is being demolished now. 🙁
oh my goodness, I have fallen on the ground rolling and laughing. I have tons of ufo’s but it took two partially finished wall hanging home from one chapter I am in and built them into lap quilts. Why are other’s Ufos so enticing….. I think I did 3 blocks btw in September. Lots of assembling of tops…
How timely! I just pulled out a ufo to be quilted–that’s where I usually stall out–deciding on a fmq design! I have come up with a plan for part of the quilt, so I am going to force myself to get started with that–hopefully by the time I am done with that I will have come up with a plan for the rest of it! Problem is that I prefer the piecing, so I have lots of tops waiting to be quilted, but they aren’t much good without the quilting, are they? Hate to take a break from the maple leaves because they are just so cute and fun!
l think your wild 9patch will be awesome! Love the blocks shown. Good task choice .. l’ve got a UFO that seems to find a way to stay a UFO .. haha
I’ve got a couple that need to be quilted. It’s a matter of getting time and motivation to line up at the right moment. That would help if I get these 2 done.
I have been organizing my scrap bins – half way through my 2nd tub…cleared out two bookshelves- donating books to an animal rescue book store-
My UFO will be my husbands TShirt quilt. QAYG, I have not done enough to know what I am doing!
Very timely task for me. I’m going through my UFO’s, PIGS, kits, etc to get a idea of what I’m up against … found a small quilt that is mostly cut out and in fall colors than just might satisfy my desire to make something for fall. Thinking I’m going to try and whip it into a top at least. I have so many tops that need quilting that a quilting marathon is in my future. I’m thinking the more things I can wrap up the last few months of the year the fresher my start for the new year! I just can’t seem to declutter my projects🤪, particularly UFO’s.
Thank you Shelly! You have challenged me and my sewing space is better for it. My UFO list is to long but maybe if I could spend less time trying to organize I will have more time to sew😀. I have recently completed some knitting U FO’s!