Organizing UFO's

If you've been quilting for a while, you've likely accumulated a few UFO's.  UFO's are UnFinished Objects.  I've been quilting long enough that I have more UFO's than finished projects.  Embarrassing!  Also very messy.  It came time to do some organizing.  Here's how I did it.

 First, I went through my studio and made a master list of all the projects I have going on.

Most of my projects are in plastic boxes like these, stored on shelving.  I marked each box with a strip of masking tape and a Sharpie marker.  No more hunting to find what I want to work on.  Also, this way I can see in a glance exactly what I need to do.

Most of my UFO's are unfinished because I simply got to a point where I needed to purchase something to continue working on that project.  Instead of running out to the store, I put it aside, and start on something new.  To combat this bad habit, I made a shopping list for each project in this cute little notebook that I can easily slip into my bag.  It goes everywhere I go, so I can consult it at anytime to see what I really need.  By the way, I won this notebook at a UFO party.  Perfect.

I also made sub-lists of all my projects (from my master list) in another notebook.  These lists show what stage each project is in.  I made one for cutting, one for piecing/applique, one for quilt tops that need to be marked, one for needs to be basted, one for quilting, one for binding, sleeve, and label, and even one for design ideas.  This is really helping me to see what I have going on.  If I want some hand-work to do while watching the Panthers slam the Jets in the NFL preseason game this Sunday night, I can just consult my list.

That's as far as I went with the UFO organizing.  But additionally, you could also organize your boxes to match your sub-list, by putting together all the quilts that need to be quilted, etc.

I hope this helps!  It's making a difference for me.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas