finished an unfinished quilt today. One at a time. LOL Glad I found your videos. Im a longarmer and don't have time for my own quilts a lot. So this was a great thing for me today.
With young kids and a sewing room adjacent to the playroom, I do much better at having things ready to pin or trim rather than ready to sew. As soon as I sit at the machine, I have someone breaking through the baby gate to see what I’m doing, but I could quietly pin and trim for 10+ minutes before they realize I stepped into the sewing room! It keeps me more productive!
Reading these productivity tips while recovering from breast cancer surgery. I'm not yet ready to start quilting again, but I can't wait to get back to it. I have a baby quilt that just needs binding attached (I was sooo close to finishing it, but my surgery was moved up by a week), and it calls to me every time I walk by. Thank you for the tips!
Carol Rogers good luck for your recovery. I had breast cancer 18 years ago so I know you just need to be patient and not do too much too soon. Hope you get back to your quilt soon. X
I have projects in bins and that is very helpful. Only gifts are on a real timeline...otherwise I focus on completing the steps, and just enjoy the peocess and eventually I have it completed. You mentioned meal planning, been doing this for years, life is simpler, it’s a gift of time you give yourself....also prep foods. I put the sewing room back in order when I’m done, i treat it like work, my desk is put back in order. I’m an event coordinator, organization is the way you plan a conference, break things into steps, and I apply this to all areas of y life. For travel sewing I keep a container in the car ready to sew on...I’m a person who obviously just keeps working on multiple things, i read multiple books at a time, finishing isn’t the goal, enjoying the process, and things get done because to keep chipping away at it, instead of tied to one project for days or weeks, boredom comes into it and you push it away and don’t finish it
I clean my sewing room every Friday for ten minutes. I usually run over, but while listening to you I realized that I want to give it a good cleaning. My sewing machine area is always clean but the cutting table is a different story. Good tips here.
Hi Sherri, Thank you for showing us your projects. I am new to the sewing/quilting community. So, it is nice to see where I could possibly start with a project. I enjoy watching your videos. Thank you for being clear about what to do or not to do.! ;-)
I do something similar to your Ready To Sew. Mine is “Easy to Do.” I always leave off a project when the next step is easy to do. I am a lot more motivated to start sewing if the first thing I’m going to do is simple and pleasant. I don’t like changing my machine thread so I’m much better off changing it before I stop for the day than leaving it to do as the first thing for the next time. Love all your projects!
Very helpful ideas. I made mental notes but will probably listen again and actually write a few things down so I don’t forget until I actually do them. I keep a notebook/ journal of my completed quilts/ projects with pictures, notes about how things went, new skills learned, samples of material in ziplock baggy, etc. I have a list of things I want to do, but it keeps getting longer, and I keep getting older, so realistically I will probably not get to the end of my list. I learned to sew when I was in brownies or 4-H. I had two years of Home Ec in high school, but I didn’t start quilting until I retired from teaching five years ago. I still catch myself making a lot of beginner mistakes. I have basically learned by watching tutorials and then trying to remember what was said when I get to the sewing machine. It is sometimes a comedy of errors. I celebrate every block that is completed without the seam ripper.
Wonderful tips. The menu planning is so very helpful in all facets of life. I've used it for years. It safes money, time and worry. Thanks for ALL of these tips.
Yes, I do most of this. My material is neat and because of that , it makes for great planning. I love my sewing projects. It kept me happy through this quarantine . Love to watch you. Great job!👍🏻
Tip#7! I'm working on several things and have intentionally cleaned up after cutting. If I just need a little bit of one piece of fabric, when I'm finished cutting I look at the leftover fabric. If it's less than 1/8 yard, I'll cut it into working strips or squares. If at least 1/8 yard, I'll fold it back up and put it in its place. Makes is so much easier to go in there and start on something the next day.
Sherri, Wonderful ideas. I love them all, but my very favorite is the Top 3! What a fantastic way to accomplish so much more in all areas of our lives. :)
Love this video! Amazing tips. A clean space is so much more inviting. I also find I work best by working on two projects at a time, the secondary project I use as leaders and enders.
Sandra here: As this self isolation continues I’ve become kinder to myself. I’m not quite sure if there’s a purpose between my creativity , my intent , and my insanity🤦♀️. I’m having a talk with myself about my age (mid 70s) and just how much time I have to complete what I intended . I’m speaking of WANTS , NEEDS and REALITY . I’m like many, I have UFOs Unfinished and well intended !! As weeks pass quickly I’m feeling comfortable enough to leave my basement “Studio” untidy, very untidy as I thoroughly and finally sort, repurpose and downsize . Now the matched fabrics will go into separate zip loc bags, each with the pattern showing . I’ll take the suggestion of DebbieLee (above this post) and also *list the works in progress* I’m thinking it’s much kinder if a daughter might have to clean my supplies away .. None of us is fully assured we will survive this virus . However since we are home it’s a kindness to ourselves to use the unlimited time to do what we intended and feel good about that. Next time I’m faced with a craving to begin something anew I’ll treat it as we treat a food craving. Sit down for 5 minutes and seriously talk with myself about it. Wait for that craving to pass.. Then I’d reach out with a right hand and pat myself on the back , repeat on the other side and continue with that back up plan... Last and not least I’ll have a clear photo of each completed project and create a booklet of all of them . Include comments where they were gifted or if not gifted who shall cherish them later . Then I’ll sew on! 😁
When I finish sewing for the night I always tidy up and leave out the one thing that will be my next step in whatever I'm making. I find it's much more pleasant to start the next day if the room is tidy and inviting. But I find I'm a little ocd about having only one project going at a time. I can't let myself start a new project till the one I'm doing is done.
Really good, Sherri what do do with leftover fabric do you cut it up for useable pieces and do you cut them after each project or when, I need a plan mine are taking over my room which is very small.
Sherri I know you made this in 2020 and I hope you still get this question because I really need help. I have worked since I was 16 year old. I raised 3 children on my own and at times worked 3 jobs until I went back to college to become a Registered Nurse. I had been an accountant. All these years all I could think about was when I retire I will have time to quilt and garden and can my produce. Well I ended up becoming disabled 2 years before retirement. I can only sew 2 or 3 hours at a time and them must rest my back for an hour or two. I cook supper for my husband and I 3 times a week. I make enough meals that all I have to do on the other nights is heat it up and make a side to go with it for our 7 meals a week. I only eat 1 time a day and my husband eats 3 but he eats yoguart for breakfast and a snack for supper. I am 69 and he is 76. My issue is I will often say to my self "of, I can work on my quilting tomorrow" because we are homebodies. My husband has PTSD from Vietnam and we don't travel. I do garden and I walk in the mornings. It will be a week or more sometimes before I get back to my quilting! I really don't have time to put it off. I have 14 quilts planned. I already have the material or kits waiting and I am 69! I don't mean to sound morbid but I want to make a quilt for each of my 3 granddaughters and my daughter and 2 baby quilts for each of my granddaughters (they do not have any children, one is only 12 years old but I want them to have the quilts to give to their babies if I am not here. My daughter and my granddaughters aren't even interested in sewing. They bring anything they need sewn to me to mend. I CANNOT leave this sewing room filled to the rafters with material. I have enough material for another 10 or more quilts besides the 14 I was talking about. I just have a hard time moviating my self to get up and do it. And I love it once I get back there. I don't know what is wrong with me. Any advice?
For me, I spend 10 minutes each morning, before leaving for work, doing a project. I set a timer. Many days it's the only sewing I get done. But projects proceed forward.
Wonderful tips. The menu planning is so very helpful in all facets of life. I've used it for years. It safes money, time and worry. Thanks for ALL of these tips.
Ready to sew works for housework and water colour painting too. Got to love it!
finished an unfinished quilt today. One at a time. LOL Glad I found your videos. Im a longarmer and don't have time for my own quilts a lot. So this was a great thing for me today.
With young kids and a sewing room adjacent to the playroom, I do much better at having things ready to pin or trim rather than ready to sew. As soon as I sit at the machine, I have someone breaking through the baby gate to see what I’m doing, but I could quietly pin and trim for 10+ minutes before they realize I stepped into the sewing room! It keeps me more productive!
I find if I keep my sewing room looking tidy and organised I look forward to sewing more.
Reading these productivity tips while recovering from breast cancer surgery. I'm not yet ready to start quilting again, but I can't wait to get back to it. I have a baby quilt that just needs binding attached (I was sooo close to finishing it, but my surgery was moved up by a week), and it calls to me every time I walk by. Thank you for the tips!
You'll be back to quilting in no time! Good luck. 😊
Praying your recovery goes well and you can get back to sewing soon.
Prayers for a speedy recovery and stay strong 💪🏼💕
Carol Rogers good luck for your recovery. I had breast cancer 18 years ago so I know you just need to be patient and not do too much too soon. Hope you get back to your quilt soon. X
Great tips!! Thank you..I am learning so much from your channel!
I have projects in bins and that is very helpful. Only gifts are on a real timeline...otherwise I focus on completing the steps, and just enjoy the peocess and eventually I have it completed. You mentioned meal planning, been doing this for years, life is simpler, it’s a gift of time you give yourself....also prep foods. I put the sewing room back in order when I’m done, i treat it like work, my desk is put back in order. I’m an event coordinator, organization is the way you plan a conference, break things into steps, and I apply this to all areas of y life. For travel sewing I keep a container in the car ready to sew on...I’m a person who obviously just keeps working on multiple things, i read multiple books at a time, finishing isn’t the goal, enjoying the process, and things get done because to keep chipping away at it, instead of tied to one project for days or weeks, boredom comes into it and you push it away and don’t finish it
I clean my sewing room every Friday for ten minutes. I usually run over, but while listening to you I realized that I want to give it a good cleaning. My sewing machine area is always clean but the cutting table is a different story. Good tips here.
Hi Sherri, Thank you for showing us your projects. I am new to the sewing/quilting community. So, it is nice to see where I could possibly start with a project. I enjoy watching your videos. Thank you for being clear about what to do or not to do.! ;-)
Love the idea of top 3‼️
Thank you. Right now I have so many projects going to fill my days as to keep my mind off what is going on. Doing so has at times been overwhelming.
I think that is very good advice. I’m going to try them. Tfs. 👏🏻💕👏🏻
I do something similar to your Ready To Sew. Mine is “Easy to Do.” I always leave off a project when the next step is easy to do. I am a lot more motivated to start sewing if the first thing I’m going to do is simple and pleasant. I don’t like changing my machine thread so I’m much better off changing it before I stop for the day than leaving it to do as the first thing for the next time. Love all your projects!
Very helpful ideas. I made mental notes but will probably listen again and actually write a few things down so I don’t forget until I actually do them. I keep a notebook/ journal of my completed quilts/ projects with pictures, notes about how things went, new skills learned, samples of material in ziplock baggy, etc. I have a list of things I want to do, but it keeps getting longer, and I keep getting older, so realistically I will probably not get to the end of my list. I learned to sew when I was in brownies or 4-H. I had two years of Home Ec in high school, but I didn’t start quilting until I retired from teaching five years ago. I still catch myself making a lot of beginner mistakes. I have basically learned by watching tutorials and then trying to remember what was said when I get to the sewing machine. It is sometimes a comedy of errors. I celebrate every block that is completed without the seam ripper.
Wonderful tips. The menu planning is so very helpful in all facets of life. I've used it for years. It safes money, time and worry. Thanks for ALL of these tips.
I have a sidewinder to load bobbins. I love it. I fill my entire bobbin holder with full bobbins. They are ready to change when I need them.
Another great idea!
Thank you Sherri for this great video! The tips are very helpful for someone who is a beginner. Blessings from Canada. Take care. Mary
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
i agree with keeping the room tidy i function better and happier to be in my room
Thank you so much Sherri, I found this very very helpful and useful too. Stay safe and well too xxx Mags
Yes, I do most of this. My material is neat and because of that , it makes for great planning. I love my sewing projects. It kept me happy through this quarantine . Love to watch you. Great job!👍🏻
Excellent tips Sherri, thanks!
Thanks Sherri! Your tips are so helpful!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talents with us!
Tip#7! I'm working on several things and have intentionally cleaned up after cutting. If I just need a little bit of one piece of fabric, when I'm finished cutting I look at the leftover fabric. If it's less than 1/8 yard, I'll cut it into working strips or squares. If at least 1/8 yard, I'll fold it back up and put it in its place. Makes is so much easier to go in there and start on something the next day.
Really great idea!
Sherri, Wonderful ideas. I love them all, but my very favorite is the Top 3! What a fantastic way to accomplish so much more in all areas of our lives. :)
U tube
Love this video! Amazing tips. A clean space is so much more inviting. I also find I work best by working on two projects at a time, the secondary project I use as leaders and enders.
Thanks Sherri! I agree with your tips:)
Great tips Sherri. Thank you.
Thanks for these tips. Very inspirational.
I made a list of works in progress in order that I would like to finish them. Just making the list has helped me have some direction.
Sandra here: As this self isolation continues I’ve become kinder to myself. I’m not quite sure if there’s a purpose between my creativity , my intent , and my insanity🤦♀️. I’m having a talk with myself about my age (mid 70s) and just how much time I have to complete what I intended . I’m speaking of WANTS , NEEDS and REALITY .
I’m like many, I have UFOs Unfinished and well intended
!! As weeks pass quickly I’m feeling comfortable enough to leave my basement “Studio” untidy, very untidy as I thoroughly and finally sort, repurpose and downsize .
Now the matched fabrics will go into separate zip loc bags, each with the pattern showing .
I’ll take the suggestion of DebbieLee (above this post) and also *list the works in progress*
I’m thinking it’s much kinder if a daughter might have to clean my supplies away .. None of us is fully assured we will survive this virus .
However since we are home it’s a kindness to ourselves to use the unlimited time to do what we intended and feel good about that.
Next time I’m faced with a craving to begin something anew I’ll treat it as we treat a food craving. Sit down for 5 minutes and seriously talk with myself about it. Wait for that craving to pass.. Then I’d reach out with a right hand and pat myself on the back , repeat on the other side and continue with that back up plan...
Last and not least I’ll have a clear photo of each completed project and create a booklet of all of them .
Include comments where they were gifted or if not gifted who shall cherish them later .
Then I’ll sew on! 😁
When I finish sewing for the night I always tidy up and leave out the one thing that will be my next step in whatever I'm making. I find it's much more pleasant to start the next day if the room is tidy and inviting. But I find I'm a little ocd about having only one project going at a time. I can't let myself start a new project till the one I'm doing is done.
Great tips! Wondering about that adorable bag on the table I would love to make one myself! :D
I had the same thoughts. You may need to do a bag video, please.
Really excellent video. Thank you!
Great tips! Thanks from Norway ! :-)
Really good, Sherri what do do with leftover fabric do you cut it up for useable pieces and do you cut them after each project or when, I need a plan mine are taking over my room which is very small.
Thank you!
Great tips! Thank you!💜
Great ideas!!
This was perfect for me! Thanks so much again!!!!!
I like your cutting mat. Can you say what brand it is and who carries it
Sherri I know you made this in 2020 and I hope you still get this question because I really need help. I have worked since I was 16 year old. I raised 3 children on my own and at times worked 3 jobs until I went back to college to become a Registered Nurse. I had been an accountant. All these years all I could think about was when I retire I will have time to quilt and garden and can my produce. Well I ended up becoming disabled 2 years before retirement. I can only sew 2 or 3 hours at a time and them must rest my back for an hour or two. I cook supper for my husband and I 3 times a week. I make enough meals that all I have to do on the other nights is heat it up and make a side to go with it for our 7 meals a week. I only eat 1 time a day and my husband eats 3 but he eats yoguart for breakfast and a snack for supper. I am 69 and he is 76. My issue is I will often say to my self "of, I can work on my quilting tomorrow" because we are homebodies. My husband has PTSD from Vietnam and we don't travel. I do garden and I walk in the mornings. It will be a week or more sometimes before I get back to my quilting! I really don't have time to put it off. I have 14 quilts planned. I already have the material or kits waiting and I am 69! I don't mean to sound morbid but I want to make a quilt for each of my 3 granddaughters and my daughter and 2 baby quilts for each of my granddaughters (they do not have any children, one is only 12 years old but I want them to have the quilts to give to their babies if I am not here. My daughter and my granddaughters aren't even interested in sewing. They bring anything they need sewn to me to mend. I CANNOT leave this sewing room filled to the rafters with material. I have enough material for another 10 or more quilts besides the 14 I was talking about. I just have a hard time moviating my self to get up and do it. And I love it once I get back there. I don't know what is wrong with me. Any advice?
For me, I spend 10 minutes each morning, before leaving for work, doing a project. I set a timer. Many days it's the only sewing I get done. But projects proceed forward.
Great idea!
Where do you get your mini quilt projects that you keep in your purse? I would live some mini English paper piecing projects to do but can't find any.
Can you tell me where to find your bag patterns? I love them!
Is there a patter for the green basket on the table in this video?
yes, it's the Contain Yourself bin from ByAnnie
Thanks for the helpful hints! Please what is the name of the pattern for the paper pieced quilt behind you?
It's called Blooms, and I have it in my Etsy shop in paper and PDF versions. www.etsy.com/shop/SherriQuilts
Tyfs
Where do you buy all your fabrics from? Those kind of flat roles I only see in shops, do you go to a wholesaler?
Yes, I am able to buy wholesale :)
Not everyone has more time at present
Wonderful tips. The menu planning is so very helpful in all facets of life. I've used it for years. It safes money, time and worry. Thanks for ALL of these tips.
Thanks for this. Very helpful ! 😊