I have learned an important thing over my 30+ years of quilting. The more organized you are, the more enjoyable the experience. Organization starts with cutting the fabric and continues on through piecing the blocks and the quilt top. The following are some of my tips to keep things organized and running smoothly.
Cutting the Fabric
Tip #1: The first thing you need to do after gathering and preparing your fabric for your current project is to read through the pattern and find all the cutting instructions. Most patterns will have the instructions all together on the first page, but others may not. I recommend cutting all pieces out prior to beginning so you know if you have enough fabric. Discovering you are short on fabric long after you have bought it can result in you not finding any more of it.
Tip #2: Once you have all the cutting instructions, be sure to cut the largest pieces from a particular piece of fabric and continue on to the smallest pieces. Some pattern cutting instructions may not be organized that way, so you can make your own cutting list if you need to. Here is a sample cutting instruction from one of my patterns to show what I mean:
You can see by the list that I begin the cutting with pieces cut from the widest width of strips. Once I cut the 3 1/2″ squares, I can then cut what remains of the 3 1/2″ strip down to 2 1/2″ and cut those pieces.
I also recommend that you buy a little extra fabric than is required by the pattern to cover for cutting errors and pre-washing. I always add extra in my fabric requirements but other designers may not.
Tip #3: As you are cutting, since you are cutting everything out at once, I recommend labeling your pieces and stacking them according to the blocks they are in.
By doing this, you can grab a labeled stack and lay it out for sewing and not worry about whether you have the correct pieces.
Sewing the Blocks
Tip #1: Once you are ready to start stitching the blocks, you can keep things organized with little “layout” boards that you can stack up by your machine.
I made these by cutting pieces of cardboard 13 x 13″, because most of my blocks are 12 x 12″ finished. You can also make smaller boards if you make smaller blocks more often, or you can make some boards that are larger. I have a few boards that are 19″ square. I can fit pieces on them for 4 blocks that will be 6″ finished.
Once you have the size cardboard square you want, cut a piece of scrap batting that measures about 1/2″ larger than your square. Lay the batting on a flat surface, then lay the cardboard square in the center so you have batting overlap on all 4 sides. Fold the batting over the cardboard edge and secure it to the back of the cardboard with a glue stick. I use a permanent glue stick so it will stay secure through constant use.
Here is a block laid out on one of these mini design boards, all ready to stitch the pieces together.
You can lay out all your blocks on individual mini boards, stack them up and carry them all to your machine. This helps you not to mix up the pieces for each block. Also, it’s a time saver. You don’t have to stop and lay out the pieces for the next block. It’s already laid out on the board below the one you just finished.
Here’s a stack of mini boards:
Tip #2: If you don’t want to use mini boards like above, you can stack up your block pieces ahead of time for chain piecing. On the left below is the block I want to make and on the right are all my pieces for several blocks stacked up and ready to stitch.
As I stitch the smaller pieces together for these blocks, I can press the seams and place them back where they belong in the piecing sequence.
Piecing the Quilt Top
My final organization tip is my numbered pins.
Once I have my blocks laid out on the design wall or on the floor, I pin the “1” pin to the first block in the first row and the “2” block to the first block in the second row, and so on.
I keep the pins in the first block of each row to mark the block order and the row order as I am piecing the quilt top. After spending a lot of time laying out blocks and getting the perfect layout, the last thing I want is to stitch one of the blocks or rows out of order.
So, those are my organization tips. Share some of yours in the comments below. I will choose a commenter to win my pattern, Stars Ablaze.
The drawing will be on Monday, March 2nd. Good luck!
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
Since I chain piece, if possible, I like to sew block units then layout the block in rows so I can “web” the rows and the sew the cross seams.
I do that too when piecing blocks. It makes things go quickly when you’re making multiples of the same block.
I like the idea of using the mini boards.
Especially if I step away from a project, seems the mini boards would be a faster way to jump back in where I left off!
Please don’t include me for the pattern. I have already benefited from your generosity!
Glad you like the mini board idea!
I like your idea of mini boards as I don’t have much sewing space. This would help me keep everything in order as I have to move things around in my bedroom when my sewing time ends. Thank you for the great tip
You’re welcome!
I love the idea of mini boated. I use one and have to set out one block at a time.
Sometimes I cut “kits” and put them with the pattern in project bags so when I have time to sew I can grab a kit. It’s already labeled and ready to go.
I love to use project bags. I also use those art bins that can be found at the hobby store for bigger projects. The pattern can be tucked in with all the cut pieces.
Great tips for piecing. I really need to make some design boards!!!
Glad you liked them!
I like the idea of numbered pins – so easy to make – I had some (cheap) numbered pegs but they have started to break. I stack up on a small spare cutting board or a large square ruler (slippery) but really should make some boards like you describe. Thank you
You’re welcome! For my numbered pins, I used heavy duty quilting pins and wrapped a piece of washi tape at the top with a “tail” sticking out for the number.
Instead of design boards I use paper plates in the same way they save time and money. Thanks for the tips but take me from the drawing since I have won twice before.
Paper plates work great too!
I made some design boards. Helpful. The number pins are a good idea.
Glad you like the ideas!
I like using mini boards also. Organization is really helpful for me.
I can’t quilt without being organized. 🙂
I make a sample block to test the pattern before I cut out an entire quilt.
Great idea. Then you can gage how easy or difficult the block is to make and also find shortcuts.
I like your numbered pins—great idea!
You’re welcome!
In addition to design boards I also use platter paper plates. They will hold a little longer strip and stack together nicely. I also use a dollar store picture stand to hold my pattern or sometimes even my design board.
Good idea for the pattern stand. I use a recipe book holder.
I recently did a quilt whose pattern booklet had wonderful charts for cutting requirements. Lots of pieces. I enlarged the charts on my copier and cut each piece of the enlarged chart to label the pieces as I cut them. I used the headers of chart to place in ziplock bags to store cut pieces. This made it very easy to follow the steps to sew the quilt.
That sounds like terrific organization. The cutting charts are always helpful.
Make a sample block…. If only I’d practice what I preach 😜
LOL! But that is a great idea. Work out the kinks in piecing before you work on the actual blocks for your quilt.
I like to take a picture of my quilt top blocks all laid out just in case something happens to a pin or whatever I can always look at the pic and lay it out in the same order
Good idea!
I love the idea of the small design boards! Will
be making some. Your tips are always so helpful.
Thanks! Glad you find my tips helpful.
I love the design boards. I also use the flower pins that I’ve numbered with a sharpie.
Good idea on the flower pins. That works just as good as the tape.
I love the idea of mini boards and plan to make them before I start my next project! Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
I love the idea of mini boards.:) i do plan to make them before I start my next project! Thank you so much!
I’ve been thinking about trying the project boards and your post is the push to just do it without buying them. Making my own appeals to me. Thank you
You’re welcome!
I sew much better when I can be organized. I have used sheets of styrofoam as design boards, the back of a small white board, or even a 12 x 12 piece of stiff cardboard. Maybe some day I will get or make actual design boards, but these do the trick for the time being.
Sounds like you have a great plan there!