Be honest: what is the last time you sat down and counted your sewing-related WIPs? (WIP = works in progress) Are you afraid to even look?
The other day I posted a question about this on Facebook – and I got a pretty big response! Here’s the breakdown:
It seems like a lot of us get caught up in the WIP trap: we’re attracted to the idea of a new, shiny project. New fabric! New techniques! An excuse to go shopping or break out the colored pencils and graph paper! And then … somewhere along the way we get bored! This project isn’t fun any more, it’s taking too long, I missed the deadline for completing it. The list goes on and on!
Some people work well this way – they like to have a variety of options for working on projects, depending on their mood. Other people feel overwhelmed when they have too many irons in the fire, so to speak, and it helps to work through those WIPs one at a time, checking them off the To Do list and paving the way for new, creative endeavors.
Either way, it’s nice to know we’re not alone (judging by those Facebook responses)!
If you’d like some tips for tackling your WIPs, here are some ideas we’ve put together:
1. Schedule it Out.
Maybe you need to actually plan out a working schedule for completing a project. Get out your date book or your digital calendar app, and make a note of the times and dates you want to set aside for working on this project. Break it down, task by task, and give each task the amount of time you think it will require, plus a little wiggle room. And go easy on yourself! You’re probably not going to finish a King-sized quilt in a weekend, even if you write it on your calendar. Make sure you schedule time that you can actually spend working on this thing, and then use that as your motivation to finish the projects.
2. Dangle the Carrot.
If you’re the type of person who responds well to positive reinforcement, why not try bribing yourself? Tell yourself that when you finish a WIP (or a stack of them, or a portion of one) that you will get a prize. The prize you choose is entirely up to you! Maybe it’s a night out with the girls for coffee and chatting. Maybe it’s a stop at your favorite ice cream parlor. Maybe it’s a trip to the fabric store to plan your next project!
3. Or, use the stick.
Maybe negative reinforcement is better for you? Try telling yourself that you’re not allowed to do something you really enjoy – buy new fabric, cut out a new project, plan a new project, or buy a sewing magazine – until you finish something. Sometimes denying ourselves something we really want is very motivating in the attempt to finish things!
4. Stay Organized.
It’s easy to have too many WIPs if you find yourself regularly losing the supplies you need to finish ONE project in the first place! Use baskets, large plastic zipper bags, shelves, or bins to store all the materials you need for your current WIPs (one container per project). That way, when you get inspired to work on something, everything you need will be neatly arranged in one place, ready to go. Don’t lose time digging for supplies, keep them within easy reach and see how quickly you can finish those WIPs and tame that pile or projects!
Do you have any advice on taming the WIP monster? I’d love to hear it in the comments below!
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Comments & Reviews
i try to keep my WIPs to no more than 3 or 4. I try to force myself to finish one project before I move on to the one I’d rather work on. I also try to “regroup” after a project is 100% complete. By this I mean I clean up my limited work space by putting away any unused supplies and clearing the path for the next project. If a project sits around too long without any progress I will put it away along with any associated supplies in large zipper bags. Sometimes coming back to it later will renew the interest. i recently started repairs to a vintage double wedding ring quilt. I am replacing worn pieces with hand applique, there are over 100 pieces in just the first quarter. i keep pushing that project aside!
WIPs? Just enjoy them all! Variety is the spice of all sewing adventures.
Hi, I purchase plastic see-through containers and scrap book containers and place my pattern, pieces, thread, bobbin, etc. that goes with that particular WIP if I go to another idea or am using the sewing machine to repair clothes. It is much easier to just pick up the container, look at what I have finished or not finished. I also keep a paper inside stating the tension, stitch length, etc. I was using for my best results.
Glad to know I’m not alone! After last Christmas, I was so frustrated at what I hadn’t finished that instead of just dumping stuff back in the craft room, I took 1 plastic tote and packed it with stuff I am determined to finish this year. That tote stayed front and center, and over the year, I rummaged through it occasionally to either remove something, or recommit to finishing this year, which I will start soon. But before I can tackle the tote, I let my craft room unravel, so I scheduled a week of organizing before starting anything new. I’m done with beating myself up about what I don’t get done, and hoping this new method will work this year. I call myself a rabidknitter, managing many WIPs at once, including some embroidery and beading projects, but for some reason, my sewing and other craft projects are not as easy for me to keep on top of.
I enjoy your website but realized everytime I come to your blog in my bloglovin reading list it kicks it out bloglovin. I wonder if you have some code that is doing this.
I’m not exactly sure what you mean Colleen.
~Heather
My work schedule often interferes with my completion of projects. But, I do lose interest and there are Soooo many new ideas to try!! My LQS recently put on a WIP finishing challenge offering a drawing for prizes for most completely done quilts (label, too). That lit a fire! Challenge yourself and/or a group of friends- make it fun- but don’t stop learning or exploring new things. Love your blog!
I love that idea Dee! I should see if my local chapter has any interest in doing that. It would be fun to see what everyone has started.
~Heather