Due to some technical difficulties and a whole lot of time mis-management (okay, procrastination), the Tuesday Tutorial has been postponed until Thursday. Honestly, May is always a crazy month–college kids coming home, graduations, festivities, and the first burst of good weather—gardening, barbecues, photo walks…I think the tutorial will be worth the wait—we will be working on houses!
In the meantime…I have a Giveaway for you of another gorgeous stencil from The Stencil Company…Tomorrow’s Work in Progress Wednesday post will include many photos of this stencil and the small quilt I made with it!
To win the stencil…please leave a Time Management tip or comment in the Comment Section of any post from now until next Monday (May 27th)…Two winners will be chosen–one winner for the Best Tip and the other by lottery–(Not as exciting as $600 million PowerBall, but your odds are much better!)
That’s all for now. Thanks for being patient!
45 comments
Karen
I usually designate certain days of the week to get certain tasks done and I stick with it no matter what. I also have to limit the time I spend on the computer because we all know what a huge time suck that can be.
Sheri Lyn
Sew a season or birthday ahead!!
JENNY L PUTNAM
I’ve got nothing! But enjoyed reading everyone elses tips.
Helga
My time management tip is to limit Internet time!! Otherwise I get caught up in email and my favorite blogs and projects don’t get done! Limit Internet to the fragments between stirring the dinner! Save the big blocks of time for projects!
Helga
Kathy Cook
I spend a lot of time traveling in the car visiting my children and widowed mother. It occurred to me that it was wasted time to just watch the same scenery again and again, so I now plan to have parts of my ongoing projects ready to take and work on. I have done piecing, patchwork patterning and doodling over and over again working on muscle memory for FMQ.
Teri C.
I have not had time to practice any of your techniques recently. When I do have a 30 minutes, I don’t practice b/c I would first need to create a practice fabric sandwich. So the other day, I spent half an hour making sandwiches with lines on them. I had them all ready to go and when i had an hour last night to myself, I sat down at the machine with your tutorial in front of me on the lap top and just practiced. I was able to practice for a full hour. It was so much fun. I don’t know if it qualifies for an organizational idea, really just a way to be able to practice when I only have a short period of time. Much more fun than studying science with my 14 year old.
Debra
Quilting Design Tip: I take a black and white photo of my quilt top, print it off, then use a white gel pen to draw out my quilting design before loading the quilt on the frame. Removing the color from the photo removes distraction from the quilting area, especially if the quilt pattern and/or fabrics are busy. Sometimes it works great, other times, I change my mind after the quilt is loaded; then I redraw the new design. It has reduced the amount of ripping out I do. I have the Quilter’s Preview paper but it seems easier for me to draw on a mini version of my quilt top.
Debra
Ok, left out the most important part…my design process Saves me tons of time!
textiledreamer
I always have lots of different things I want or have to get done. What works for me is to choose three different tasks to fill an hour: usually some chores, quilting and something or other on the computer. I then set my timer for 15 minutes and start on the first task, and switch to the next when the timer goes off. Adding some transition time between tasks, that nicely fills the hour, and quite a bit of stuff gets done.
Brenda Nevitt
Always put things back where they belong and clean as you go…..do the worst thing first…..I wish I was better at managing my time!
Joan
I am a retired teacher so I always worked with lists. That’s the only way I could get things done. Also, after I have finished sewing, I always clean up my room and each project is always placed in a labelled basket ready for the next time. Thank you for the generous giveaway. Love your blog!
Pat
Multitasking – even my hobbies! I love to read so a good book on tape while I sew, cook, clean or exercise keeps me entertained and (if I choose non-fiction) -informed.
Thanks, Lori for all of your great designs for machine quilting– I am going to finish a couple of projects that were waiting for quilting.
Susan
During my quilting, I chain piece, then take the whole string to my ironing board, snip apart while my iron heats up, then do all the pressing. Keeping my sewing room organised is a must. I get very annoyed with myself if I have to waste time looking for something!
MaryBeth
I find I get much more done if I leave the television off. I get sucked into stories and lose track of time like crazy.
Judy
Get 8 hours of sleep and you will whiz through all those most do jobs before you know it. Oh and do not open email or social media until you are prepared to give up an hour or two!
Laura
Get off the couch and turn off the TV and limit myself to 2 hrs computer time (or tv time, got to make a choice)! That’s the best time management tip I have
Sandy
If you’re lucky enough to have a space of your own then leave your sewing out when you need to stop. It’s a lot easier to sit down and sew for “just a bit” if you can pick up right where you left off. Lots of big projects get done 15 minutes at a time.
honnah sims
set a trimmer for one hour and do that task for one hour I get lots done by knowing I have one hour…
Kathy
I make lists all the time. I have them for short term projects as well as long term projects. There is a great sense of satisfaction when I cross things off. Making lists also prevents me from forgetting because as soon as I have something that needs to be done I add it to the list. I carry the list with me all the time.
Kathy
Janet Crossman
Try to always use a swiffer or broom to wipe up your floor covered with threads or fussies, this keeps it from tracking all over the rest of your house.
thanks for the giveaway
Carol Claytor
I have to agree with everyone on the list thing but I also try to save steps when cleaning or organizing by making piles of things to go to certain areas (like upstairs) and then making one trip.
Jeannette
I have lists, things to do now like today, things that can be done later and then my wish list. For the family we put things onto the calender an our email software so everyone knows what is happening
Joy
I put my paper piecing needle in a labeled film canister. My current needle goes in the pin cushion. My empty film canister, which I leave by my machine, lets me know it’s still in the machine before I start a different project. I always know which needle I have dulled and don’t have to waste time trying to figure it out.
Julianne Kudrna
List, prioritize and reward…..do the HAVE TO’s first unless they are low priority. Remember we work to live instead of living to work!
Brooke W
Lists and time limits. I always feel accomplished when I can check something off my list, even if it’s “take a shower”. I will set a timer for 20 minutes and get as much done as I can. If I can’t stand the chore then it’s generally mostly done and can be finished tomorrow, but more often than not, I’ll finish it.
Maga
Although I have been a stay-at-home mum for 27 years I have always used a diary and put in appointments for the things that has to be done – like food shopping, cleaning, looking in on a friend who needs it, writing birthday cards and such. I have even been known to put in ME-time as an appointment 😀 This has worked so well in the past but now my husband has retired he is constantly changing my appointments (read postponing) so lots of things don’t get done on time! I have to find a way where he can’t change them – I might even go back to having a paper diary and use ink!
Patti
I am the worst for time management, BUT, when kids come home from college, the housework can wait….in fact, I think the housework can wait no matter what…the dust will be there long after I am gone and nobody remembers how clean your house was, but they remember how much fun, or loving you were!
Karen Martin
Organize things by priority. If I can do something quick to get it off my list then I start there. I usually try to do things in a circle..meaning if I’m make a cup of coffee, while it’s brewing, I empty the dishwasher or load it. If I can do two things at once I usually go for it. Then I have more time for sewing. Also after each big project, I put things away, sweep, and I’m ready to start on the next project. When that doesn’t work, I hide it so its not speaking to me.
Queenie
Prioritize would be my tip for the day. I only make lists when things get really hectic. Otherwise, I will prioritize to-do into wants and needs. Needs come first, wants after that. Make peace with that which did not get done and put your best foot forward for a new day.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Donna W
My time management tip is for my quilting. I keep everything in a bag or a plastic tote for each project that I am working on. That way, if I don’t work on it for awhile, I won’t use up the fabric that goes with it. I also have small hand projects in bags, ready to grab and go.
Cathi
Lists, lists and more lists! And I also try to do a few small things each day rather than cleaning all at once. Today I may wash the floors. Tomorrow vacuum the carpet, etc., etc. I’d rather spend 15 to 30 minutes each day doing some of thse chores than have to spend half a day to get them all done.
Marcia R
I rarely look at Pinterest or Facebook, two major time suckers. I check emails either on work breaks or last thing before sleeping, after everything else is done.
Heike Schaefer
Oh my gosh! What clean Ladies! My first goal everyday is to do something for me! Sit and sew something – then you can start proud in the day and clean something. Then you know that you was important for yourself!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunny Chandonais
I never know what size needle I have in my machine at any given time, so when I take a certain sized needle out and insert it in the machine, I leave the case for it in front of the machine so I know exactly what needle is in it. And I always put the needle I take out back in its case and put that case back in its storage place.
Debbie
I keep a small calendar in my purse I also try to keep things on my phone Calendar. I have to write everything down or it won’t happen. Lists, lists, lists.
Sue Munn
I do several of the above. Keep a list of quilt projects and what needs to be done on them. I’ve also started doing the housework in small chunks-doesn’t seem so onerous that way. I’m also trying to spend at least 15-20 minutes a day practicing free motion. I’ve done some really nice free motion quilting, but I’m really good at convincing myself I won’t do a good job and avoid it when I know darn well the only way to get better is to practice!
Gail Mitchell
I always leave my workspace ready to sew. That means when I leave it, I spend 5 minutes to tidy up a bit. While I’m tidying, I think about what I’m going to be working on next. If I need a thread change, I do it. I put all my scissors, magnetic pin cushion and stuff I need at the sewing machine back in my sewing machine pad’s pockets. And I try to clear my ironing board. After doing all that, I know I can go to my sewing room and just sit and start to sew, even if it’s for 10 or 15 minutes.
Oh, yea, and I agree…. Lists are good!
Jan
To encourage myself I make a list of what I need to get done each weekend. Then when I cross it out, I feel great. And as soon as I get them crossed out it’s sewing time.
Quilter in Motion
Rather than keep all the housework (or whatever your project is that needs managing), spend a few minutes each day doing just one small part of it. i.e. Clean the bathroom sink after your brush you teeth. Next day, clean the shower after your finish your shower while the water is there to help the job get done. Soon your bathroom will shine and you didn’t spend two hours doing it all at once! Works for me, anyway.
JoAnne
My tip: Make a list. Do the task you dislike most, first. With that out of the way, the cascade will begin and before you know it, you are done!
Sharon Lichter
I’m not going to win for the best tip, because I have that problem also. Love your tutorials.
theinboxjaunt
LOL! Please try–I’m sure you have a few tips!
Sent from my iPhone
Rettabug
Gosh, I should be the LAST person on earth to offer “time management” tips, Lori! I DO try to prioritize all the various projects & obligations while keeping in mind that we are not ‘Super Woman’ & we really can’t do it all. Family always comes first, no matter what & time with them can never be recaptured. The sewing will wait for us…in fact, as my Mother used to say about cleaning & dirt: “It will be there when we’re all dead & gone”.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have 3 towels to embroider along with 2 pockets & some binding to put on a quilt. LOL
Thanks for the chance to win a stencil. I need all the help I can get with my quilting.
fondly,
Rett
PAM
This is what works for me….a list.
I am always running around with a list.
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