Top 10 Time Management Tips for Quilters

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10. Keep an achievement list. It's energizing to see your quilting accomplishments named all in one place.

9. Learn to say "no". Your time is valuable, and you get to spend it on doing the things you love, including quilting.

8. Make a schedule. One of the most productive quilters I've ever known did this at the beginning of every calendar year, planning projects, due dates, retreat weekends, and even "play time" for her quilting. You don't have to stick to your schedule 100% of the time, but it helps to prioritize what you want to accomplish.

7. Break projects into easy-to-achieve tasks, and then complete one task at a time. Want to make a Baltimore Album? Task One may be finding a pattern you love. Task Ten may be making all the leaves you need.

6. Disconnect. Make your sewing space a cradle of creativity, and don’t allow anything into it that distracts or disturbs you. If electronic devices keep you from concentrating on your quilting, turn them off.

5. Give yourself the gift of time. Put a timer in your sewing space and set it for that hour, or three hours, or 15 minutes, that you can fit into your day. Hang a “do not disturb” sign on the door to protect that time if needed.

4. Organize and declutter. Any time you invest in making your work space efficient will pay off many times over in productivity and fun.

3. Keep it fresh. Change what you’re working on as you tire of a task to keep your energy level up.

2. Know yourself. If you’re most productive early in the day, make Saturday morning one of your quilting times. If mid-afternoon is a sluggish time for you, don’t start challenging tasks then. Save some simple stitching for low-energy times.

and the very top tip of all:

1. Do what you love. Life is too short to stick with a project that’s lost its appeal. Quilting is supposed to be relaxing, exciting, creative. If you’re not enjoying yourself, you're wasting valuable quilting time. Stop and switch gears. HAVE FUN!