Friday, January 4, 2013

Planning the Attack

Remember all the works in progress I listed in my fabric tracking post? Well, over the last several months, I've found myself making the same to-do lists over and over. I guess I figured identifying the same quilts in progress several times would help me keep track of them better. Well, it hasn't worked and I've found myself not always able to keep my head around what I've started and intend to finish first thing in 2013.

So, I thought about how I could better keep track of all these WIPs. Enter Excel! I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but I finally sat down today and entered all my WIPs into a simple spreadsheet where I've noted the status, plan of attack, finish by goal, and priority.

WIP tracking

I think this is the ticket! I can easily see at a glance what I need to do with each quilt. Since it's in a spreadsheet, and since I've already been in the habit of tracking my fabric purchases, I think this method is finally going to click for me and help me know what it is that I need to accomplish before starting anything new.

First up, I need to turn those quilt tops into finished quilts. I have three bee quilts ready to go. I usually quilt my own quilts, but since these three have been sitting around for months (4, 9, and 13 months to be exact!), I decided it's totally okay to farm the quilting out to two of my longarm quilting friends as well as a fairly local quilter who provided a coupon for services at Sewing Summit (hooray for discounts!). That should help shorten my to-do list pretty quickly right off the bat.

Starting to take shape. I'm getting so excited!

Circle of Circle of Circle of Flying Geese

My Supernova Quilt Top

I'm having a hard time not caving in and starting my own scrappy trip around the world quilt. But, I've made a resolution to finish all these other items on the list before I go jumping on any bandwagons. Wish me luck.

11 comments:

Barb said...

What a fantastic idea...I just might steal it...

Debbie said...

what organization! Good for you sticking with the wips. I'm trying to do it all. ;-/ btw, I really love your supernova!

blank said...

I was just telling my husband I needed a way to track my WIP's... that I have these grand ideas for certain fabrics, even purchase enough to complete the project, but then promptly forget what it was I was going to do... I might have to follow suit here... brilliant idea!

Leanne said...

That will take some willpower!!!...to not start something new...good luck with it. L xo

Kate said...

Don't you just love Excel? I made my spreadsheet a little simpler - just planned/piecing/quilting/binding - but I like the priority numbers on yours. I should do that to keep things in order...and not jump ahead to other projects!

Beth said...

I also track in excel love it! I have columns for each step that I can check off. I like the priority numbers. Your WIP 's are beautiful. Good luck.

LauraC said...

Beautiful quilts! Love that third one.

Katie B said...

This is incredibly impressive. I can see how helpful that would be!

Andy said...

What a great idea to use excel!

Megan said...

Your WiPs are so beautiful! I love a good spreadsheet. I use one in Google docs to keep track of mine - http://bit.ly/mfVCwm. It's been a lifesaver! And it's awfully motivating to check off a little box every step of the way - it makes me feel like I'm getting more done, even if I don't completely finish a project.

QuiltNut Creations said...

I loooooooves your circle of circle quilt!

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