I have added 12 labels to my quilts in the last few days! I thought you might like a little behind the scenes peek. I have a very simple way of keeping track of my quilts.
I have two notebooks...a small purple one, which is actually one of those old Plan Bee systems. I've taken most of the parts out and just use it for my Works In Progress List and my Finished Quilts list.
The Works In Progress system is very basic. I write down the name of the quilt and have columns on the right side labeled Start/Finish, Piecing, Borders, Backing, Quilt, Binding and Label. As I finish each step I check it off and add a date. When I finish a quilt I use the yellow highlighter to mark all the steps. I got this idea from an old friend a very long time ago. I am so glad I kept up with it all these years. A few times in the past I thought I would transfer it to a document on the computer but I really like my plain old graph paper and pencil!
The second part of the purple binder is the Finished Quilts List. Here, I note the number and name of the quilt as it is finished. I started this list a long time ago too. I remember trying so hard to remember the quilts I'd done and in what order. Back then, I'd only done about 20 quilts and I still had to think real hard! Now, my list is up to 120! I also note whether I have taken a picture of the quilt and if I have already made a label.
I have a large three ring binder with pictures and a write up about each quilt. This is still a work in progress. I include all kinds of things...size, materials, pattern, inspiration, who the quilt was made for and remembrances of the time I was working on the quilt.
I always tell new quilters about this system in hopes that they will keep up with their work too. Of course, I have instructed my daughter and son where to find all this information if something should happen to me! I've spent over 20 years of my life making all these quilts and I want to at least look like I had some sense of organization!
I hope you enjoyed seeing how I keep track of my quilts. I also hope it will inspire you to start keeping some kind of quilt journal. You don't have to start at the beginning...just open up a notebook and start writing!
I sit here with my jaw on the floor. I'm in awe!
ReplyDeleteLove your system! I have a similar one set up on a spreadsheet to keep track of my quilts - and their "Stage of Completion". I don't really consider my quilts "Done" until they have been documented in a scrapbook with the story - a scrap card of the fabrics I used - photos - and a foundation pieced "heart" for a "Someday Memory Quilt". Visit my blog and check out the "Left-Handed Quilting" page under "Finishing the Quilt". I like to think that my grandchildren will want to know the "Story" of my quilts. ;))
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you quilts are hand/machine/long arm quilted? You are very organized. I have quilts that I have made and given away and NO PICTURES! I will try to do better, what a good example of organization to follow.
ReplyDeletevery cool you are so organized.. All i do is take a photo and write on the back or a piece of paper when I started when I finished and to whom the quilt went. maybe 2012 will be better.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Susan
I am so impressed and envious. I would love to have a record like that of my quilts.
ReplyDeleteHope you are doing well. Tell Mich and Ty hi for me!
I did not comment on this when I first read the post, but did bookmark it to come back to. Well, today was the comeback day.
ReplyDeleteI started the list of what I had made, it is a much shorter list than yours so that was done. Then I started the matrix for my attention deficit disorder failure to finish projects.
I just cleaned up my sewing room and found several "Oh My, I don't even remember that."
This is so awesome. I can look at it and see where I am. I love color ing in the yellow parts. Thank you so much.