My creative friends and I all wish we had more time to make the things we love. We all joke about abandoning chores, housework, and sometimes not feeding our family to blissfully work on our projects. But reality sets in. We do the chores, feed our families, and wistfully wish for more time sewing or stitching. One of my goals this year is to enjoy more creative time. I’ve been on a quest for a while for more time to create and I've learned some helpful methods. Here’s what has been working for me:
Tip #1: Work on projects in batches.
This works great for projects where you are doing the same tasks. For example, if I have a lot of tails to weave in on yarn projects, I’ll put them in a box as I finish each one to finish later. I’ll put on a podcast or show and work through the pile finishing multiple projects. This helps me focus on the task at hand and I don’t have to get up to different parts of the process or go find different tools. I can save time by focusing on one action at a time.
I also “batch cut” my quilts especially when I’m headed to a retreat. I’ll cut several projects at once and kit them up in bags with the cut pieces, extra fabric, and pattern. This way I can pull the project bag when I am ready and it’s pretty much ready to go.
Tip #2: Multitasking…to a point.
Multitasking is tricky. Experts say that most of us don’t multi-task well. I would agree with some tasks it’s not beneficial. However, I find there are some tasks I can do concurrently. For example, while my longarm is running (it’s computerized), I do a lot of computer work or sew. Usually, it takes about 15-30 minutes to stitch a section on the quilt. When the row ends, I have a good reason to get up and stretch so I’m not sitting too long.
Sometimes, I sew or stitch when I’m doing laundry. I let the washer and dryer do the hard work and set the time aside to work on a project. This also helps motivate me to do laundry when I want to put off the task. I promise myself a little creative time while I’m doing this chore, and it seems to help make it go faster.
Tip #3. Take your work on the go.
This is how I get a lot of crochet and knitting done. I’ve done this for years. I pack up project bags ready to go when I’m headed out the door. For small projects, I’m able to slip the bags in my purse. I’ve stitched at many places – waiting at the doctor’s office, at school events, traveling, and waiting in the school pick-up line when my daughter was younger, and more. This is not only perfect project time but keeps me calm and entertained while waiting.
Recently, I’ve started taking embroidery projects on the go, especially when flying. I pack these projects in a slim bag and slip them into my carry-on. They don’t take up much room and I can get a few stitches in here and there. In contrast, I don’t typically embroidery on a car trip, especially in Colorado, where are roads are notoriously bad from weather-induced potholes. I’ve stabbed myself too many times with a needle as we rode over some very bumpy roads – ouch!
Tip #4 - Make a daily commitment.
I have a goal of creating at least 30 minutes a day. This can be quilting, sewing, crochet, or knitting. Personally, this helps me with my mental health because when I’m bored or idle, my creative brain tends to get anxious.
To help me with this goal, I keep my projects in project bags or small plastic bins where I can easily see and get them. For sewing projects, I place the bin with my latest project near my sewing machine. For crochet, knitting, and embroidery projects, the project bags are placed near my favorite, comfy chairs in our living room. I’ll often work on a few stitches while dinner is cooking or watching TV.
I also don’t worry if I don’t meet my daily commitment. I remind myself that the intention behind this goal is to find more time and enjoying creating more, not hold myself to a strict practice I won’t enjoy.
Tip # 5 Track your project time.
Sometimes I track my progress to motivate me and remind me how much I have accomplished. I’m usually surprised at how much I have gotten done, which is motivating to me. Some years I’ve tracked things in a small notebook, tracking what I did each time or listing finished projects. Sometimes I don’t track anything because it may feel like one more thing to do during a busy time. I defer to how I feel and use this a motivator, not a punishment.
Last year I started tracking my quilting projects in a project diary. I received the diary as a gift. It was not something I would have sought out, but the diary has been a great tool, allowing me to track my progress and what I’ve learned. It’s also fun to revisit the project entries and remember those fun projects.
Tip #6 - Plan a personal retreat or attend a retreat or event.
Sometimes you must make time for what you love. Quilt retreats or social crafting have been the best ways for me to do this. For the past 4 years, I’ve gone a multi-day quilt retreat to help me finish up my quilt projects. It’s been great to have focused time to finish these and enjoy the company of quilting friends. Living in Colorado gives us access to some great retreat places and great mountain scenery!
When I can’t get away with friends, I’ve blocked out evenings or a weekend to sew or stitch. I do find I’m not as focused and it doesn’t always feel like a getaway. But it’s fun to work on my projects and make progress.
I’ve also belonged to stitching groups or quilting bees, where we’d meet at least once a month to stitch on our projects. We’ve met at libraries, each other’s’ homes, coffee shops, and restaurants. These groups were informal, and I connected with these creative friends either through my guild or through Meetup. I even ran into a hand-stitch group at a local Panera restaurant and discovered they were one group of a larger Facebook group that had local monthly stitch-ins across Colorado.
My quilt guild has a social Zoom sewing time 2x’s a month where you can log on for 4 hours on a Friday night and virtually sew with others. This is fun because you have the company of others, but don’t have to haul all your things to an in-person sew.
If you are looking for a local group, I recommend checking with your local quilt store, craft and fabric stores, or search on Facebook or Instagram. If you don’t find anything, consider creating your own group, inviting your creative friends and encouraging them to invite others.
I hope these tips inspire you to carve out time to work on your favorite projects this year. Most importantly, I hope you will take the time for yourself to recharge and enjoy what you love. Let me know, too, if you have a favorite creative time management tip that has worked for you. I’d love to know!