Sunday, July 19, 2009

Should Have Had A Plan

I've been a little carefree to this point and now I see I should have had a plan. Normally, I am very organized and plan ahead. When I started working on Dear Jane, I was feeling a little wild and crazy and didn't put much thought into it. The only plan was to randomly pick blocks and use fabric combinations twice. Today I discovered that block M-2 and M-3 are of the same fabric combination. Lucky for me, that was the only time it happened.

As the block numbers increase and my memory decreases, I have come up with a few easy ways to make sure this doesn't happen again. On page 12 of the Dear Jane book, is a diagram of blocks. I have recorded beside each finished block a number. For example, H-11 has the number 15 beside it and L-6 also has the number 15 beside it. This tells me that both blocks have been made from the same fabric combination. Also, my finished blocks are stored in a nice decorative box, which I have now inserted row markers and placed the blocks in order. I could also refer to my Dear Jane photo file, on the computer, but this is not as practical when working in the sewing room. My Dear Jane book and box of finished blocks would be right there, as I prepare the next blocks.

4 comments:

sewprimitive karen said...

Isn't it fun to get a project organized? Interesting how different yours is from mine for DJ. But you gotta have some kind of plan for this one that's for sure.

Robin said...

Sounds like you are definitely in the organizing mode! I use my computer to help me keep track of my blocks. Like you, I decide from block to block what fabrics to use. But, my computer is also in my sewing room. :)

Minka said...

I decided a long time ago that it was more important to maintain my colors and that meant I really could not find enough fabrics....sage green and lemon yellow are not easy to come by. Repeating fabrics in my DJ quilt meant tracking them. I have several methods, but yours is simpler and smarter. Just this week I started a new system. I have about 14 blocks to go but as I near the end, the chance of repeating a fabric too close-by increases exponentially....especially since I've increasingly used multiple fabrics on single blocks...which is not what I did at the beginning of this project. If I ever do another quilt that requires tracking the fabrics, I'm going to try your method.

Kats Studio said...

Do you keep each completed block in a platic baggie? I started a DJ class in 2009 & that is how they suggested to keep them. I completed 12 before being sidetracked. I am now ready to start again & was looking for a better way of keeping up with what I have done as far as storing.
Thanks for your help.

To see what other projects I am working on, visit me at Journey of a Quilter.