The multi-talented Yvonne of Quilting JetGirl is hosting the annual Planning Party for quilters and bloggers. Are you a planner? Do you love a party? Then check it out!
When it comes to quilting, I am definitely NOT a planner. I really prefer a loosey-goosey approach to my projects. Maybe the correct phrase is "squirrelly-whirly" because most of my work is done very spontaneously. I see a design online and decide to make one of my own. Or I dredge up some interesting fabrics in my stash and decide to cut them up into little pieces and sew them together again.
I almost never purchase fabric for a specific quilt. I buy (mostly used) fabrics strictly for stash and occasionally a friend will pass along some of their fabrics. A good supply of blenders, fun panels, novelties in my favorite subjects, and some larger chunks for potential backings, and my studio is ready to go.
Even the recipient of the quilt is up in the air until the piece is mostly finished. I have a group of charities that I support, and each one has slightly different size, subject and material needs. This kid-friendly one that's only about 38" square? Off to Little Lambs it goes! This bigger one that uses up some polyester batting? Quilts Beyond Borders. Adult sized in softer, muted colors? Covered In Love can use it, for sure.
Other tops sit quietly in my UFO closet until they are needed by a friend or family member. I shipped one of those out last week and will blog about it soon.
What I love most about this way of quilting is that there are very few deadlines. I sew what I want, when I want to. It's fun and relaxing. When I get frustrated, I can set the offending piece aside for a few days, or forever. I order fabric when the price is right, and I don't sweat about getting just the right color. It can take three months to get that shipment of fabric, and by then I've forgotten what I ordered. Every mail delivery batch is like Christmas morning! Woo hoo, new fabrics!
So what are my goals, plans and resolutions for quilting in 2019? More of the same! I'll continue to sew for charities, making the pieces that are fun and interesting to me in the moment. I'll continue to buy fabric as needed, enjoying the hunt for the best price. Good news such as new babies and sad news like illness will probably generate a gift quilt or two. And I'll blog about it when I get around to taking some photos.
How about you? Are you a planner to keep yourself focused and on track? Or do you chase the squirrels as they whirl past? If you want to join the party of folks talking about this, visit Quilting JetGirl and link up. You might even win a prize!
I too am NOT a planner. The newest zoomiest project will bump anything I have in the queue.
ReplyDeleteI also use mainly scraps but for my daughter's requested quilt in fall colors I purchased an entire collection. I have learned so much about fabric, while I still love my scrappy stuff, some collections are simply stunning.
I do plan sometimes, but other times, not so much. Wishing you the best on all of your projects.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have a great approach to your quilting. Thank you so much for sharing and linking up with the Planning Party. I hope you have a fabulous 2019!
ReplyDeleteLove your selection of photo's. I have a theme, this year is was quilts for the son-in-laws and the year before that it was big bed quilts for the grandkids. However, they all got finished this year. So a plan, sort of.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you work and the quilts you come up with.... and it's perfect for your lifestyle too...
ReplyDeleteI think I'm a procrastinating planner....or a chaotic quilter.... or maybe a daydreaming ditherer.... I definitely have plans.... even if they are 'kits' to be made up... but I get very easily distracted by something else... hmmmm but it's fun ….
Hugz
We are a kindred heart in our planning theory’s. I buy very little fabric. Must sew down the starch. My quilting group laugh at my use of all the small pieces of fabric they throw away. But oh my they come in handy. Scraps are my best friend. The first four parts of Bonnie Hunters Mystery Quilt have come from my scraps. That’s amazing to me. I know I will have to cut into some fat quarters soon. But we will see. For 2019 first priority is to finish some works in progress and then to start work on some tops I’ve been saving fabric for. Can’t wait to see what you make next year
ReplyDeleteI loved this post, Louise, pretty much because my approach to quilting is much the same as yours. I'm always so impressed with your generosity as a quilter, and that is a great inspiration to me! What amazing place will you be in for Christmas? Have a wonderful holiday!
ReplyDeleteHI Louise ! We love the term "squirrely-whirly". That describes us perfectly ! Quilting is meant to be a fun, relaxing hobby. Over-planning a quilting project seems to make it stressful for us. Your approach is much better-- and you get more quilts done than almost anyone we know ! I know that all the charities greatly appreciate your wonderful work, and you beautiful quilts have made so many people happy and cozy. We wish you a wonderful holiday season, a Merry Christmas, and the happiest of New Years. Love and blessings, from Marina and Daryl Lynn
ReplyDeleteI really prefer not to plan, although I do have to stay on track with some quilts I make. I really do prefer to sew in the moment. Blogging has changed that a bit, so I'm learning to adjust my blogging. Haha. When I buy fabric, I often buy it because I like it. I do shop for specific fabric, but honestly find that frustrating, especially when I have an idea in mind and I can't find the fabric to fit. Thanks for sharing your process, Louise! I always enjoy seeing what you create!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post, Louise! I’m so glad you enjoy your hobby and appreciate your generosity. I like having goals simply because it ensures that I will make time for fun and relaxation.
ReplyDeleteI love your approach to quilting, Louise! You're my kind of quilter. I'm looking forward to seeing your loosey goosey, squirrelly whirly projects in 2019, and doing more of my own loosey goosey, squirrelly whirly quilts.
ReplyDeleteThis year I did more quilting on the Planning side of things. The free time was rare! Yes I know I can control that if I want to, however, this year I started off the year knowing I wanted to put a ton of effort into selling and it worked. But I struggled along the way with a huge desire to just sew for the heck of it. So this year I hope to take more sewing time for my donation quilts since I missed that so much this year. I lived vicariously through you in donation quilts;)
ReplyDelete"Squirrely-whirly" - I love it! I'm more of a planner, in the sense that I have monthly goals, but I've been known to chase a few squirrels. I'll continue my monthly donation quilt efforts in 2019, but the style/size/colors/recipients are all up in the air as the "squirrel" moves me. Wishing you all the best in 2019!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear another approach to "plans" for 2019. Sometimes it's good to be reminded that our lives don't have to be planned out all the time.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting topic. I do plan but I am not bound to the plan usually. I usually make general year long goals. But I also write and publish weekly goals. I am more a raccoon quilter — oooh shines new fabric, ooow look at the turquoise piece I could...., so I find I get more accomplished if the weekly plans are written and on my cell phone and computer. It's more to keep me on task. Mid-fall I made a list of about 6 to 8 items I wanted to get done. I think I had either completed or moved along all but two of the items. I figure that is pretty good. I like to find bargain fabric too. One of my go to sources is Craftsy sales. I figure the cost per yard and love it when it reaches the $4.00 and less range. But I need to keep an eye on what is being sold...sometimes I end up with mostly smaller precuts. Yuck ... not as easy to use. And, I don’t necessarily make the project shown. You’ve gotten such interesting comments on this topic too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely a planner - but I'm also a squirrel-chaser. That combination keeps me happy, so I'll stick with the approach.
ReplyDeleteI love this awesome post that is so true to you.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to set deadlines and it doesnt work for me. It ends up feeling too much like work. And leads to a bad mood when i fall behind. My biggest problem is sustaining my quilting motivation. I would like yo commit to spending at least 15 minutes a day stitching.
ReplyDeleteI’m definitely not a planner! I Sew what I want, when I want, no matter how long it takes to finish!
ReplyDeleteI'm a planner, with so little time to stitch, not planning means I waste time figuring out what's next. Enjoy 2019. It's always fun to watch your project evolve.
ReplyDeleteI do like to plan but then another idea pops up and off I go trying to squeeze in another quilt! I once thought of joining the Planning Party but I fear I would not be able to keep to the plan!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude towards quilting, creativity...nice and spontaneous. I like to riff off patterns and get frustrated if I don't make it my own.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I know: You plan to have a quilty good time next year. You always do, and it's so fun to read about it here. I wonder though, when you live on a boat, do you still chase squirrels? Or maybe dolphins? Enjoy the holidays, Louise, and I wish you many more Christmas mornings next year as you open those mystery packages of fabric.
ReplyDeleteI am a planner to some point....but do find myself becoming less so as I age. (I still love crossing items off my list) Your simplicity and joyful heart always inspire me. So glad we are bloggy friends. Smooth sailing to you and hubby as the new year approaches. Sending smiles your way! :)V
ReplyDeleteFantastic approach to quilting and to life Louise! I love this post - it is somehow inspiring - sort of a let go and see what you can make sort of 'plan'. Your generous spirit is wonderful and I am grateful to have been the recipient of two of your quilts for #Mercyfulquilts. I look forward to seeing what sort of squirrelly-whirly projects you come up with this year. All the best to you and your travel buddy in 2019.
ReplyDeleteI always plan, but often deviate from the plan. You have to be flexible, after all. By the way, I love the term "squirrelly-whirly!"
ReplyDeleteI love your "no plan" approach. I'm a planner, but find I have more fun with quilting if I don't have deadlines so I've settled into a pattern of planning out the quilt before I start, but not so much when I need it to be done, or how many I plan to make.
ReplyDeleteI'm a planner in that each year at the beginning of the year I make a list of quilts I want to make including gifts for upcoming weddings, babies etc. I always make several charity quilts each year, but that's kind of loosey goosey, kinda when the mood strikes or a need arises. And of course, I try to know a few UFO's off the list, too!
ReplyDeleteI love the term "squirrelly-whirly" ...Your approach is much better, that’s explaining me perfectly. I am looking forward to seeing your squirrelly-whirly projects in 2019. I love the way you work ...So I will stick with the approach.
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