• Introduction
• Use Your Time Wisely This Summer

Use Your Time Wisely This Summer

It's a great idea to have a project on hand. If you plan ahead for your free time, you will be able to squeeze in a bit of quilting on-the-fly. You will be totally surprised just how much you can accomplish in a few minutes here or a half hour there.

I have lots of projects on hand: a car project, binding that needs to be finished, fused applique pieces in resealable plastic bags that need to be cut out, a tub of strips sorted and ready for use on my string block-foundation pieces, and the foundation pieces that are cut, stacked and ready to go.

I have my projects in boxes stacked in my studio, readily available. All I have to do is decide what I want to do. Everything is ready to go. It only took a few minutes to make a list of the things I needed to get done. Then I was able to quickly organize each project and fit them in portable boxes. Actually, it was fun once I started. I found the list growing as the possibilities became clear.

I sorted one box for my embroidery in progress. There is one for the yo-yo project I had abandoned. I put a wool project that had gotten lost in the shuffle in another box. I stacked my batting pieces for my string-quilt project so that they were ready for action if I found the time to sit at my machine for a while.

I placed my tub of strips for my string quilt right in plain sight so it would be a reminder. I stacked any projects that needed handwork done, such as embellishing or binding, so I could easily grab one in a hurry and go. Also, I packed a portable sewing kit for my car.

And last but not least, I created a list of "Things to Finish This Summer" and placed it on the refrigerator. I will cross off the projects as I finish them. I get such a sense of accomplishment when I can see progress. Putting a line through an unfinished project on the list and knowing it is done is so satisfying. Try it!