I have been thinking a lot lately about how to keep track of all the quilts and projects I make. There are a lot that get placed with different families and are no longer with me.
How in the world do I keep track of all of that?
I am kind of a journaler- this quilt blog is all about my journey and shows off some of the things I have been doing, but other than that…I have nothing! I am quickly reminded when I see the quilt what it was for…or whom. But, really it’s kind of like- out of sight, out of mind for me.
Is it this way with you? Have you tried to keep track in some way or another what you have made in the past?
Do you mind if I pick your brain for a little bit and find out more about what you do?!
This next year, I have been kicking around the idea of putting together a little series and would love some input. Without giving all the details away and not wanting to go full force into something that will not work, or that you aren’t interested in, I thought that asking you for your thoughts an ideas would be a good place to start.
First and foremost– Do you keep a project or quilting journal of any kind? How do you like to keep it all together? 3-ring binder? pictures? labels on the project?
What kind of info do you keep track of when you do a journal?
Is 2 pages enough for one project?
Would you like something that can be printed and then you fill it out?
Are you interested in having different sizes? Something for just the back of a photo, something for a binder?
What about a label for your project? Something you can print and cut out on fabric to use on the back of your quilt or a printable label.
I appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think and what works {or not} for you. I am looking forward to reading through your answers and putting together the plans for next year. You guys are the best!!!
Please share your answers and give me some suggestions in the comments.
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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I do keep a record of every quilt I make in a binder type notebook. It’s nothing pretty. The real purpose is to have a place to keep my sketches and info about the quilt design so I can repeat it. I have thought about making it more like a journal and including pictures and thoughts but so far it is a very “mechanical” record usually written on the outside of an envelope. I tuck other pages inside such as my sketches. For the quilts I also pieced, I save a small scrap or selvage from each of the fabrics and sew it into a small block and put it in the envelope. I would love to print pages and fill them out but the envelope concept is really important to me. My sketches are often on whatever was handy, like old receipts and napkins, and I don’t want to have to redraw them.
I take pictures of my projects and keep a picture file on my iPad.
Great idea, Becky. Been thinking along the same lines of keeping a journal. Atm I only have photos in a file on the iPad.
Having a printed-out thingy would be good for noting times, recipient etc details which can then be journaled in more detail at a later date.
Labels are a must and would love some suggestions as to how to make them easily.
Looking forward to your ideas, blogs and tutorials in the coming year and sending best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks for you comments…. I have a few new things and ideas in the works. They will be showing up later this month! Everyone’s input has helped me a lot!
I don’t have a quilt journal per se. I have a notebook I use to work out pattern ideas, both for quilts and for other sewing projects. I’ll use it to figure out what I need to do and to record finished patterns. I also use it for notes on published patterns, ideas, lists, and references. For example I have one of those references about what you can cut from a fat quarter pasted in. And I have lists of what to do with different sizes of scraps cross referenced to the pages containing the pattern or idea. Yikes! One day I hope to type it up into some more durable form. But for now it’s just scrawls on pages for me.
I am looking for something to do for myself and to give as a gift. I’m looking for more of a quilting journal for completed projects and maybe some notes on the progress but I don’t really want a planner with a calendar and such. I don’t need one that has plans, patterns or deadlines. I want ample room for the pictures of the quilt, maybe pictures of the progress of the quilt. It might be neat to include a story about who it is for and maybe even a spot for them to write their thoughts on receiving the quilt.