I find something that inspires me and I "go for it." With young busy kids I often can't spend too much consecutive time working on projects, but I do 20 min. here and 20 min there and it all gets done eventually :)

I try to set aside two days a week for full days of quilting in my 'quilting room.'  And most evenings, I find myself gravitating to my Singer 201 set up in my family room.  I usually find fabric first, then design a block just for that fabric.

After retiring in 2005 I made the choice to quilt every day. With all the unfinished p[rojects and the wanna doos I spend between 3 to 8 hours a day quilting. It is a great stress releiver for my as I am caring for my wife who has Alzheimers. In the past 3 days I have made 36 cosmetic bags for upcoming shows and will be making a whole bevy of other items in the next few days also. :)

I have so many ufo's and new things I want to do that I have had to make a priority list.  Even this list gets redone several times during the month (or even week) depending on who needs what first.  I have just become the BOM chairman in our quilt guild and this helps me keep focused on some projects.  I am making BOM a month in advance and doing a small quilt around the block for one of our charity projects.  This way I get 2 things done at once and I have a charity quilt ready for distributions.

When I am excited about a project, I work almost non stop until it is done. I find that I spend as much or more time planning and shopping as I do sewing!

My style?  Hmm, that's a tough one. I like easy quilts as I don't have patience with little pieces that require 'to the thread' accuracy, and am drawn to contemporary piecework. I like smaller projects because they work up quicker, and I don't need any more bed-size quilts! However, if I find a pattern or workshop or class that I really like, I will make it and donate to charity if I can't find a place for it at home.

It is all good, I've never met a quilt I didn't like or at least appreciate!

My quilting routine is that I have a project going on at every stage you can imagine.  I have a stash from which I can choose fabric in any color way.  I start sometimes with just searching through my books, looking for ideas.  I have some projects that are cut out and ready to piece; some that are at the block piecing stage; some are at the design the top stage; some are at the assemble the top stage; some are at the need to make/baste the sandwich; some are at the ready to quilt; some are ready to trim and stitch on the binding and some are just ready to bind.  There is that final stage "ready for the label"...I really like to do whatever step I am in the mood for on any given day.   As hard as this sounds, sometimes I start and finish one whole project.  I try to make one finished thing for each month of the year.  

I think the above describes what makes my method unique.  I don't really know anyone else "like" me.  If I had to describe a style of quilting, I would say it is free-motion design as I go.  I don't use any particular pattern and I just sit down at the machine and start quilting.  I like letting the quilt speak to me without having any particular pre-conceived ideas of what it should look like when quilted.    

Since discovering "quilt as you go" I've been working at finishing (including the quilting) one block at a time.  So now instead of having piles of blocks waiting to be sewn together into a top which needs backing and quilting, I have piles of finished blocks waiting to be sewn together...hey!  

As of the past 4 months I have started on 2 group projects, FWSQ and Dear Jane, the DJ is being sewn by hand so it takes me time to get everything ready  templates cut ,fabric cut , I can usually get one block finished in and evening, The FWSQ I've been doing mostly on machine, we get a new group of blocks to work on every other week,  but I by that time and ready to do some machine work so I have them done by the weekend. I really enjoy both types of piecing ,but I think my skills are better with the hand stitching..I have 3 other projects I would like to start ,with all the fabric swaps I've been a part of I just cant seem to figure out what I want to do with them yet,Guess I'm a laid back sorta slow quilter ,but I love it...Barbara  I forgot to mention the birthday blocks that I do every month,those are really fun, and take some time,,the fabric has to talk to me first ,,lol...Barbara

My quilting routine is sparatic. I have a strong passin for quilting and have to be feeling the project I am working on. I can see it in my head no patterns . When I can picture what I want to do my heart gets to racing and I am ready to get started. I am 26 years young and love to quilt. My mind in always racing with new projects. My routine is to quilt as much as I can as soon as I can. Its my passion.

Routine?  What is a routine?  I love to create quilts by adding to or changing patterns. Everytime I see and/or purchase new material that is my project for the day, week, month until I see something else.  I guess the only routine I have to finish something is when I have a dead line like a baby shower gift or birthday.  Really need to develop a routine to get some of UFOs finished.

I always seem to start with the fabric.  Will either work up a pattern or hunt through my books and magazines for ideas.  Normal routine is to finish each quilt/project through free motion quilting and binding before starting another project.  While working, have different fabrics hanging on a quilt stand nearby, thinking about the next project.  However, three birthdays this month and a challenge quilt messed up my routine.  Love being retired and quilting.

I find inspiration in many places.  Sometimes it's a fat quarter collection, sometimes it's an occasion that is coming up and I need to make a quilt but most of the time, it's a pattern that I saw in or on "Love of Quilting" or in an issue of "Easy of Quilts".  Right now I'm in the process of gathering the suppliies to make the "Christmas Memories" tabletopper that I saw on "Love of Quilting" (Show #1604).  I love making tabletoppers because even the most complicated pattern is easy to try because it's so much smaller in scale.  Since I'm disabled and technically retired, my routine is whenever I want to quilt I can.  I usually quilt most of the day until it's time to fix dinner....oh...and somewhere in there I manage to do wash and clean the house!  :o)

i love to hand quilt everyday at least 20 minutes as it is relaxing.  i usually do it at night watching the TV.

I am inspired by the "feeling".  For example, if I let the dogs out in the morning and the fresh, wet grass smell hits me and it reminds me of my grandparents' home when I was a kid, my mind turns to quilting.  The nostalgia is what gets me.  When I want to "take back the past", I start quilting.  After all, what can take you back and comfort you better than a quilt?

My quilting routine....whenever I can get time in and not being pulled here or there by grandkids or husband. I like to enter contests and I like a challenge. They give me ambition to start and complete a quilt. Deadlines, without them I might never finish what I start.

I'm never happier quilting than when I diginto a pile of scraps or pieces, either from my own stash or at the local Reuse store (I spend hours in their 6 huge bins of fabric) and challenge myself to create with what I find.  I get to work with colors and designs out of my comfort zone.  I don't quilt at the same time each day - life's too unpredictable for that, but once I sit down at the table, it's hard to get up.  I get to quilt 3 days a week for 3 hours each day - the rest of the time I'm thinking about my next project lol.

We have a small group that gets together once a month and we decide which UFO we will individually work on that month. Then we have several charities we sew for- children with cancer get pillowcases and arm pillows, Veterans get lap quilts. Once these projects are taken care of- I select a "project bag" and try to work on it until it is finished. Currently working on a "Hunter's Star" for a birthday present and a Paper-Piecing Calendar BOM. In between I spend time cutting fabric for other projects! Always busy :).

My quilting routine is intricately pieced in between the challenges of work and family. When I am not in my quilting room working, I am exploring fabrics, tools, techniques new to me, the work of other quilters and quilt artists. I read several quilting magazines and blogs. When I am working on a quilt, I have quilt videos (online or dvd) playing so that I can learn new things while I work. I love quilting, and truly enjoy seeing what others do with fabric, color, and techniques.

My style is both traditional and non-conventional.I started out many years ago quilting pillow tops, and quillows (quilts that form into pillows), then added pieced hand-tied quilts. I hand quilt the majority of quilts I piece today adding embroidery, beading, and embellishments (ribbons, buttons, lace). I like experimenting with color, patterns, and texture rarely ever finishing a quilt according to an existing pattern. Every quilt is unique. I find myself asking: "I wonder what would happen if I did this?" I do not have unfinished quilts, as my desire to see the finished product is so strong I simply cannot stop until it is finished.

I used to quilt exclusively for others. Now I quilt for hers, but also for myself as I try new ideas, tools, and techniques. My favorite place is my quilting room where possibilities are everywhere as I play with patterns and fabric. In my room is a handmade quilting table that is perfect for laying out fabric, cutting, and working. I also have a handcrafted full size quilting frame that I use for hand quilting.

My one rule is that I enjoy what I am doing. If something just isn't coming together or does not feel right, I take it apart and use the pieces for something I can enjoy, or I keep working to change things so that when I am finished I feel a sense of completeness and accomplishment.

My routine for quilting is that two days of the week are set aside for what I call relaxing time in my house... When I Start to quilt or start to piece a quilt together, everyone in my house knows, "mom's in therapy, don't bug her, she may scream". No not really but it is my time for me after taing care of everyone else around me who needs my help...

I am very blessed to have a room dedicated to my interests- quilting mainly. It is well lit and has shelves for my fabrics to be seen. Not ALL of my fabrics for there are many tubs of fabric which have not found their way to the shelves yet. 3 machines, cutting table, quilt frame and a stereo to keep me in rhythm.

My style is eclectic. I generally start with a person in mind to set the theme for the quilt. Then, I search out fabric and maybe a pattern  or just a specific block and jump right in!

I work full time, and by the time I get home, have dinner and clean up, it's nearly 8pm.  Because I'm an early to bed, early to rise, I have about an hour or so to work on handcrafts.  Quilting I can do when I'm watching TV, piecing the quilt together is reserved for the weekend when I have more time to devote to sewing.  I like to take a pattern and make it my own.  My last quilt was something I saw with an embroidery CD, and instead of using the applique, I chose thread in the same color as my fabric and embroidered the animals.  It was beautiful and unique.  

I never really thought about what style or routine that I have for quilting. When I think about what I have worked on in the past I have a general idea for a pattern, then go looking from fabric. This is my favorite part because I love comparing how different fabrics with play off each other to create a certain look or feel. Once the fabric is there then I jump right in and start cutting and piecing. Once the top is finished then I look at quilting designs and motifs. Finally, I rejoice when the last stitch in the binding is finished, because it feels like such an accomplishment.

After giving much thought om my routine, the only word that comes to mind it chaos! I am doing several different quilt tops at the same time. Pinning pieces togther at night when I have time and sewing together during my days off or afternoons. My husband and I are into doing the civil war era style quilts right now. I try and keep ahead of him, since he does the quilting design choosing, and the quilting of the designs.

My quilting routine is every Wednesday a group of ladies get together at a community center and quilt.  We start our day around 8:30 AM and sew until 2 PM.  Each of us have different sewing, quilting levels and we all work on different projects.  Someone is always eager to help with a problem. We bring our sack lunch and eat whenever we want, a great day of sharing, laughter, and sewing.

I can't stand to have only one project going.  No no, I have to have 3 or 4!  It actually keeps me motivated.  When I reach a stand-off with one project I switch to another.  For example right now I'm putting together blocks with small pieces for a queen quilt.  I'm also working on a wildlife scene done with fusible applique....and then there's the charity quilt for the bear refuge (yes, I said bear) that I'm working on with 2 friends.

I find I no longer pick up fabric just because I like it.  There has to be a place for it.  And if I like the kit, I buy it.  Usually cheaper than trying to kit it myself.

I too have many projects going at the same time. ( I have a list and check them off as I finish them)  I think now I have about 12 quilt projects going.   I have 3 machines set up in separate room.  If I had to clean up and put stuff away I would never sew I think.  One machine is set for embroidery, one for piecing and a serger.  I also have several hand work items going.  I hate to just sit and watch tv so I always have some hand work near by to work on to keep active.  I have an assembly line going in my sewing room that is always set up with various stages of numerous projects and sew 15 or 20 minutes and move on to something else.  Then I have a stack of various things on the ironing board.  In this way I always have something to either machine sew or iron or hand sew.  

Fabric inspires a choice of pattern or design. Gather all fabrics and prepare them.  Make a chart of how much needed to cut for the blocks, sashings, borders and so forth.  Cut just for blocks, assemble, then look at the fabric for the sashings and/or borders because they surprise you and call for another choice of fabric sometimes. Throughout construction I press, press, press. My favorite part is the binding, doing that means the quilt is done. I find that each thing you do to the quilt changes how it looks, hopefully for the better each step to being DONE .    Janice, a scrapquilter

I work on pieces at a time from four different quilts at the time.   I like to get as far as I can with one quilt one day and then fold it up (if its that big yet) and then come back later in the day and work on another quilt; cutting and ironing.   When one is ready to pin together to quilt then I have to move the other started quilt boxes off the big table and may way to do the pinning.  

The problem I have is what to do with them when I am done.

The closest I can say I come to a routine is that I do most of my work at night. I retired a couple of years ago from working many years on 12-hr night shifts; when I had to be on call, I'd just stay up till about 4 AM (after which I prayed I wouldn't be called in if I went to bed!). I enjoy the peace & solitude, and in nice weather, having the window open & listening to Nature as I work at sewing or cutting. I have several projects going at a time and it just depends on what mood I'm in as to which one takes priority at that time. Right now I'm making darling tote bags (the 'grocery store' kind) for my family & friends for Christmas---I do believe in getting a head start!---in their favorite colors or theme. I also have a couple of UFOs nearby that I work on when top stitching at 3AM is too hard on the old eyes!

My "routine" changes depending on what day it is.  Like everyone else, I have UFOs: I have 9 tops to be sandwiched; 5 sandwiches to be quilted; 4 "kits" to be pieced; it goes on and on.  I think I have ADD because I get distracted by some fabric (while looking through my stash for a particular fabric/color) and then start planning another project.  I've tried to divide my time between home chores and quilt making.  I'd much rather be quilt making, of course, but then my husband starts feeling neglected.

I have been quilting for 30 years.  My style is never using solids!  I also believe that if you say you made a quilt, you should make it from start to finish with no one else's hands on it . . . and hand-quilt.  None of this kit business and "quilting by check" for me.

I suppose if a kit gets someone started it is a good thing, but after one kit choose your own fabrics and finish it by yourself.  After all, how many are we required to pump out?  It is a lovely, relaxing, creative hobby to enjoy leisurely.

I like to have a few projects going at once, so that I don't get bored.  I have one I'm hand quilting, one I'm hand piecing, and one that I'm doing on the machine.  I like the hand piecing project because I can always pick it up and work on it in the car when we go somewhere.  The time I spend on the sewing machine is my "alone time" because my machine is away from the rest of the house.  My quilting frame is in the bedroom where I can watch TV or listen to music as I quilt.  I try not to worry about how many quilts I'm finishing---I just try to enjoy the process along the way.

What makes my approach to quilting unique?  Not sure that I AM unique since I learn from other more experienced quilters.  But basically I have stopped buying fabric for "planned" quilts.  Now I buy fabric that is usually on sale and when I'm ready to start a quilt, I go to my closet and make all of my fabric choices from what I have.  I tend to gravitate to scrappy quilts.

I love to quilt!  I find that I take my time with quilting which is not what I do when I am sewing clothing.  I enjoy each every step of quilting from the designing, cutting, piecing, ironing, etc, etc.  If I go fast I do not enjoy it as much.  For me the process is much more important than the finished product, though I do like to finish and enjoy the product.

I am new to quilting.  I'm working on my 4th quilt now.  The first three, I took a class then went home to try to figure out how to finish it.  This one, I did all by myself.  There were some errors in the book, but I figured it out.  I took a break from it to sew a retro apron yesterday.  I made a 70x60 lap throw and I am not looking forward to quilting it in my normal size machine.  lol

Working full-time as a jhs teacher -- my time and patience is limited!  I am new at quilting and do not have a permanent space, yet.  My kitchen table is my sewing space, and my quilting escape time is on weekends after everyone has gone to bed.  The adrenaline kicks in as I set up my machine and ironing board, and lay out my tools, fabrics, etc, and then I work until I begin to tire.  A couple weeks ago I completed my first machine quilted quilt (the even feed foot is wonderful), and decided to show it to one of my classes (I teach in an inner-city, high-risk school.  This was a credit recovery/remediation class).  One of the students, a fifteen-year old boy, couldn't stop stroking the quilt top.  I told him that I made the quilt for my older son's 25th birthday.  He looked up at me, whispered, "I wish my mom would make me a quilt," and then quietly began his work.  When we make a special quilt for someone, a portion of our hearts becomes a part of that quilt.  I believe this young man could feel the love in that quilt.

I'm retired.                                                                                                                                      I like to do hand work.  So I always have some applique project by my chair in front of the tv.

I cannot pass 30 mi. without doing something.  I also like machine patchwork but do not like to work hours doing only that.  I also like patchwork by machine for a fast project but I dont really like to work by myself, so I sometimes work with friends.

I don't have a routine to sew, just do it when the urge strikes.  Right now I have 4 quilts tops in some stage of piecing and 4 tops waiting to be quilted.  I find if I try to sew when I'm just not in the mood, I do more ripping than stitching!

I'm not a pedal to the metal kind of gal.  I like to take my time, no matter how long it takes.  

My routine is working around a husband who always want to eat, but other than that, I say, pick your project, think about it, sure, go get your fabrics out all your working tensils, I have my own little shop, 12x20, go hide, in Texas, turn on the a.c. shut the door and play with all your toys till u are at a point that u know it is cook time, do that clean the kitchen, and hide away again, over and over, till u are satisfied with your hand work, and say,,,"Look what I did while u were eating"

I always have several  quilts going at the same time.  I do prioritize them as to what needs to be done versus what I want to do, but if I want to change what I am working on, I always have another one or two or three,  I can pick up and sew on. Whatever my mood is at the time or how much available time I have,  determines what I work on.  Usually by doing it this  way, I end up getting several different quilts near completion all at the same time. Works out well for me.  I know if I didn't have to cook, clean, sleep,  etc.,  I could quilt all day and night!

When I first started Quilting...many years ago, I agonized over all my fabric/pattern choices.  I must have driven more than a few Quilt Shop clerks to the point of insanity because I could almost never make a decision.  Then one day I realized that no matter how carefully I selected that perfect shade of blue or pink, my quilts still werent as pretty as I imagined they would be.   So I relaxed and started buying whatever fabrics and patterns I liked and patting myself on the back the whole way saying "ohhhh I will use this someday".  I had become more of a collector and less of a maker!   Wellllll, that didnt work well for me, but it did make the Quilt Shop clerks less annoyed.  

Then it happened!  I took a great class on color, value, intensity and texture.   It taught me how to see what I liked and know WHY I liked it, and how I could make the quilts the way I imagine them.  What a difference that makes in my decisions about what fabrics I use and what quilt patterns I make.   Today I buy lots less fabric because it isnt on a trial and error frenzy.  Also, I am able to use my existing stash of fabrics more efficiently and creatively.    I am so much more confident in my choices.

I had heard other quilters say this before, but I didnt quite get it!  I guess its like so many other things in life.  The greatest class I ever took, and then suddenly the light came on and it was crystal clear.  

Oh, yeah, and retiring from full time jobs and having a sweet supportive hubby helps a lot too!

Nana In Texas

My goal is an hour each day for my crafts, which include quilting, needlework and knitting.  I don't always make it, but it reminds me that my interests are worth nurturing and a regular commitment.  I have a few projects going at once in all areas, as I can get bored, and I almost always have a take-along project with me when I leave the house.  I don't have a lot of UFOs because I value finishing a project.  I built my stashes over about 5 years before I retired from a full-time career, so I mostly work from what I already own and make charity quilts with the fabrics I can't believe I bought.

Once I retired (2 years ago) I vowed to sew at least something each day. I usually go to my studio after lunch and get in 2-4 hours of quality work. Only I haven't been able to do it everyday. But life outside sewing is important too, so when hubby wants to go somewhere, I want to go too...

I like to quilt when the creative urge strikes me.  My sewing cabinet was the best piece of furniture I ever bought because it allows me to do this...Before I had to get my sewing machine out and set it all up at the kitchen table, and it wasn't comfortable because of the height of the table, so I didn't sew as much.  Now that I can just take the cover off the table and pop my machine up, I can quilt whenever I darn well please!  I hate deadlines, though.  They are deadly to the joy of creating.

I am a morning quilter (7:00 AM preferably).  I like the window to my sewing room open to catch any breezes.  The morning light is wonderful and I am fresh and energetic.  About two o'clock in the afternoon I am waning and call it a day.  Then I curl up in a chair with some quilting magazines and a cup of tea for an hour.  Now it's time to start dinner.  I feel very fortunate to be able to indulge myself this way.

Almost every morning Ihand quilt for an hour with my coffee. some days I do an extra hour or two while doing laundry. A couple of times a week I try to get upstairs and sew blocks for quilts in progress. Twice a month I go out to do charity quilts, and once a month go to a guild meeting.

My quilting routine or style... I am very organized - when I start a new project I get everything out and ready - If I am using a pattern I read through it couple times - I read to see what it says and to see if there is a different way that I like better to do certain parts - and to make sure I totally understand what it is saying.  I get a new blade and put it in my rotary cutter - I get down the rulers I need - I put a new needle in my sewing machine - I find something on TV to put on that will be in the background but not something that I have to watch to understand what is going on - sometimes I put books on CD in my player to listen to.  

I don't like interruptions... so I try to sew on days when no one will be needing me... that doesn't always happen but the interruptions are to a minimum.  

I usually start working on a quilt in the early afternoon - I used to sew in the morning but now with my RA that time is set aside for getting my body to where it will behave and leave me alone for a while... and once i start sewing I usually sew all day and into the night.  

I will cut all the parts to a quilt one day - set it all up organized so that it is ready to go - if I have a lot of blocks that are duplicated - I set them all up so that they are done in the most organized manner that I can find.

I have my pressing station set up about 10 feet away from my sewing machine - and I press after each seam is sewn - this is to get me up and down from the sewing so that my body doesn't get stiff.  

When I first started quilting I didn't think pressing was that important - I thought finger pressing was good enough to do before the next step - I am a precise piecer though so this was sloppy to me so I now press well each step... it makes points pointier.

I don't sew or quilt when I am depressed or mad though - no point in taking out my dilemmas on the material and I have found that I make a lot of mistakes if I do that... so happy thoughts are in my head when I quilt and I do quilt almost every day - no matter the problems life throws at me - I give them over to the Lord and go on with my life.

I have my sewing machine set up in front of the window so that I can look out at my garden - watching my flowers grow each day lifts my spirits and listening to the animals out there is fun - hearing the squirrels and the birds argue about their nests is fun and also watching the babies grow gives me so much inspiration.

I am truly a quiltoholic in all manners.

I admire quilters who can stay with one project to completion but that's not me!

Most times I've got at least three things going on, one in the cutting stage, one in piecing and one on my longarm which was a gift to me from my husband when HE retired....just say awwww!  He said it was his way of showing his love and appreciation for 45 yrs of being a loving wife and a great mom to our boys.

Anyway, back to my quilting style. I can get bored doing repetitive work so having things to work on in different stages keeps me interested.

I can do a 30 - 40 inch art quilt in much less time than a bed sized block quilt

because it's a constant creative process.

I also tend to do very large bed quilts without much thought to how much work or challenge  it might be. I've been working on a king sized bed quilt, 120" sq. that is a paper pieced DWR for the past year. I had never done paper piecing before but I wanted to make that quilt for our eldest son and DIL.

I have it more than half quilted now including SID all over to stabilize it. Good thing I use zippers on my leaders. I've quilted several charity quilts and baby quilts also in the last several months.

I like to work early in the morning, 6 AM is good, for a couple of hours then get my dog and walk for 1/2 hr. Hubby and I have coffee, I do errands and chores then go back to quilting for 2-3 hours before dinner. By evening, I'm too tired to work usually and I find I make mistakes more then.

Differences, that's what makes us interesting!

Marlette

Alot of my inspiration comes from things around me, such as my garden, or the view from my living room. And then other inspiration comes from the fabric. I have piles of pieces that I've set together to make something, just waiting to figure out what design to create. I don't use a lot of patterns but start with an idea and go from there. As I work full time my days off are spent quilting and a lot of my evenings. Course I now have grandbabies that I love to sew for plus I sew alot of my own clothes, so my sewing room is usually a total disaster area. Organized chaos! Once a project is done and I usually have 4 or 5 on the go at once, I'll stop and take a few hours and reorganize then go again. I have a clipboard with all my projects, and lists of what I want to do written down. It feels good to draw a line through finished projects!

Routine - what's that?  I seldom have a quilting/sewing routine.  Whenever I get a new magazine or book, I want to make or try out new ideas and patterns.  I especially like small quilts, wall hangings, place mats, table runners, pot holders, etc.  I get tired of doing the same thing over and over, so like smaller projects.  Applique is my favorite technique.  Usually no seams to match with applique.  Always wonder what my next challenge will be.

I don't have a set routing but I usually do my quilting in the daytime except when at the Poke N Stab Quilters meeting on Tuesday night.  I prefer applique so I don't have to match points but generally just dive in and see what happens.

My quitling time and routine is when no one is around to bother me. I go upstairs and sit there and just sew until I really start messing up and then it is time to quit. Tomorrow is another day when I start making to many mistakes.

Rosemarie from Monongahela

I like a challenge and tackle quilting patterns that a beginner like myself should leave alone. Right now I am working on a sawtooth pattern as well as an apple core quilt. (My grandmother made one, which I have, but called it an axe quilt.) I made a memory quilt for my granddaughter with an entirely made up pattern. She loves it.

I love to create so the design process is the most fun for me - starting the quilt is great figuring out the best way to cut what I need, I tend to do a lot of fussy cutting!!  I usually make reservable quilts which adds to the time it takes to complete a project.  I am usually in a hurry to finish the project but force myself to take my time since I already put so much time into the project.  I have a lot of UFO"S someone always needs something now or a new baby whatever so I am never bored and have so many ideas I can not keep up with them.  I love everything and I am curious and not afraid to takle anything

I am a multi-tasker. I always have several projects going at once, so no matter what type of time  I have, there is a project I can work on, even if it's only for a few minutes. I find myself in the middle of so many for a long time, then all of a sudden, everything is getting finished at once!! I love scrap quilting, but make plenty from start. I machine piece and hand quilt, tho I am trying to learn machine quilting with my tabletop machine, cant' afford a long-arm. My motto is, do what you can with what you have, that's how quilting got started years ago....

I work full-time so quilting time is at a premium.  However, I've discovered that with no children at home anymore, there is much less cleaning, cooking and laundry.  I even found that I'd rather be quilting than gardening.  Now I do only what I have to do on our free weekends (i.e. no children and families visiting) and then escape to my recently re-organized sewing room.  I always have several projects going so I try to steal part of an occasional evening for "therapy" after a long work-day.

I try to quilt about 2 or three housrs a day after my other work is done.  I do quilt all my own quilts.  I have never had one done commercially.  Even king size.

I love quilting and try to spend some time most day to work on a project.  I have several things going at once so I work on what suits me at the time. I am lucky to have half a sewing room (other half is office-computer room).  I love to go there when the sun is shining and there is lots of light to work.  I have my large quilting frame in the basement so I can keep it set up all the time.  Hand quilting is my therapy.  I like pieceing the tops but figuring out the quilting designs is where my artistic talent shines. I am starting to learn machine quilting and am using it for table toppers and such. I have several tops ready to hand quilt and will get to them in time.  When I see something I like, I make the top.  The quilting will get done and it gives me lots of satisfaction when one is finally finished.  Now that I am finally retired, I can work on my projects at my pace and when the mood strikes.

It's certainly cheaper than a therapist! At least that's what I tell my husband.

I may have two quilt projects at  a time going, but I like to finish what I'm doing before I start the next one. Right now I am making a t-shirt quilt for my son and working more slowly on a Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. My reward for finishing is getting to start the next project! I like to spend at least a little time each day with sewing now that I'm retired, but really enjoy the days when I can devote several hours to working on a project!

I am an old fashioned part time quilter. I piece, applique, and quilt by hand. I like hand work and do my quilting while watching the daily news on TV. My inspiration comes from mulling over ideas, looking at patterns that I can adapt, playing with different fabric colors, and recording family events. My second quilt was designed by me and my husband 25 years ago celebrating the birth of our goddaughter. The six blocks were based on her varied ethnic background. I designed wall hangings with the family Bavarian crest for each member of that branch of the family. I have completed old quilt tops found in antique shops and appliqued old Dresden plates on blocks to complete a quilt for a friend who inherited the plates from  her grandmother. I guess you can say my style is eclectic.    

My quilting routine is to choose a pattern by what ever strikes my fancy at the time, unless I have an occasion that I want to make a quilt for. I work best under pressure. I am currently making an I-pad case for a friend, which I need for this Saturday. I have a lot of magazines and books that I have marked pattens that I want to make and so when I am in between needed projects I start one of them. I am willing to try any technique. Currently I am going to start paper piecing the double wedding ring quilt that I will need for a Wedding gift in October. I have never done paper piecing before but researched as much as I could so I think I am ready to tackle this task. I love to sew and except for the fact that there are other things in life that need attention too, I could do it all day long

My goal for 2011 is to FINISH a king sized quilt I started 2 years ago for my brother.  I did really good for the first 6 months then other projects took me away from this project.  I am determined to be disciplined and to FINISH this quilt before I cut one more piece, or sew one more stitch on another quilt!  When I have projects unfinished they drain energy pods from me.  Once I finish a project those energy pods return and I am energized and ready for my next challenge!!!  But to get those energy pods back we must first FINISH something!!!!  

I make sure I have enough 18-19" pizza boxes on hand so that for each project I put into them: pattern, material, backing material, matching threads in plastic baggy, and label the outside of each box.  When I can no longer "stand" a project I have been working on, then I take out another box and work on ther quilt.  I start in the morning, work until lunch; return to quilting between 3-5p.m.  I try to work on only one project at a time, but this doesn't always happen!!!!  I need to finish 3 Tshirt quilts for Xmas, and 4 10 minute block quilts for Xmas; then by next May, I need 3 graduation gift quilts!!!  I have my work cut out for me, to say the least.

Hello, my name is Barb, and I am a quilting addict. Seriously, I must sew every day! I think it's a wonderful thing in spite of what my husband says.  It's in my blood.  I work full time so I get out of bed at 5:30 so I can spend an hour in my sewing room piecing or cutting pieces with coffee in hand. I often suffer from insomnia, though I don't think of it as suffering. If I wake up in the middle of the night I gleefully take refuge in my sewing room for hours. I spend a minimum of 2 hours every evening in front of my frame hand quilting.  I am also ambidextrous so I am a very fast quilter. I can sew and cut with either hand.  It is truly a gift! There are no akward areas of the quilt to reach.  I usually have 3 projects going at once.  Two on the frames for hand quilting (one in my sewing room for late night early morning) and another in the livingroom, then one in the piecing process.  90% of what I make is for charity and gifts to friends so I finish everything. My goal this year is to master machine quilting.

Like many others, I sew everyday.  It helps me shed the stress of a rigorous workplace.  I have a big window into the garden so that is very peaceful.  I usually have 7 or 8 projects in various stages.  Right now, I have six quilt tops completed and am now getting good at basting and quilting.  It's just lovely to have a space that stays set up so I can sew when I want.  

My quilting style is pieced and colorful.  I'm a good technician, not an artist.  The deeper the color, the happier I am.

I never sit down to quilt until I have all my chores done.  If I do I find I sit and dwell on what has to be done and I don't enjoy my quilting.  This gives as long as I want to quilt which runs between one hour to four hours a day.  I've been quilting for three years now and everytime I finish a quilt pattern I think it isn't finished until I've embellished it with anything from felt to beads.

My routine is to decide on a pattern(whether it be book, magazine or my own), get an idea of the colorway I want to use.  Re-read the instructions and recalculate the absolute minimum fabric needed!  Go shopping for fabric in my sewing room...then shop at the quilt stores.  Cut out all pieces, mark them with post-it notes and put in zip-lock baggies.  Put all zip-lock baggies and instructions and left over fabric in plastic baskets that I keep in my sewing room specifically for this use.   Then I try to sew my quilts in the order that they were cut out unless I have to jump in with a special order one!

My style is very detailed work-with very small pieces.  I love the challenge of taking all the those small pieces and putting them back together to make something beautiful!  

I enjoy quilting very much.  I try to sew at least a short time every day.  Some days it is 10 minutes and other days, most of the day.  I always have several projects going at the same time.  My favorite quilts are scrappy.

I love quilting.  I try to get in at least several hours of quilting every day.  I have spent the last 18 months doing mostly charity quilting with several ladies from my church.  We all work on piecing and I do the quilting.  It is very rewarding for me to be able to give to others and have such a wonderful group of ladies to spend time  with  and share our love of quilting.  I also quilt for my family, although I am not one to run out and buy material just because it is on sale.  I have to have an idea in mind with fabric requirements.  Then I go spend time searching for just the right fabric.  So, I guess my quilting routine would be to quilt every day and my style would be to decide on a pattern first, then go shopping!!

I often have two or three projects going at the same time and quilt some each week and sometimes daily.  I'm retired and quilting is my job--otherwise I might be expected to clean!  Most of my quilts are modern or traditional with a modern twist. Currently into three dimensional effects.

I usually pick a project that fits the fabric I have on hand. I usually have 2-3 days off each week and I try to dedicate most of 2 days to my quilting. I like to finish projects quickly, I just don't have the patience for lots of intricate cutting and piecing. So, once my design and fabric are chosen, I turn on my radio, open my curtains, light up my room brightly, and put the peddle to the metal, so to speak. Everything is cut out at once. Then the piecing begins. I take as many shortcuts as I know how, just to keep the project moving at a good pace. I usually can complete a quilt top in about a day, then spend the second day layering, machine quilting, and binding the quilt. It brings me such joy and satisfaction to finish a quilt!

Every year I start off dedicated to using up scraps and end up buying more fabric to finish the scrap projects, I am retired and the past 2 months.. my current scrap projects..3 bed size quilts with matching pillows. , 6 Halloween wall hangings, 3 table runners, 4 Easter wall hangings, two red work quilts, one bug jar quilt, 4 pillow cases, one table cloth, one scout quilt and a partridge in a pear tree. I am almost non-stop for months and then I get burned out and move on to genealogy or updating and warehousing my family photos and  documents. My QFF ( Quilt Friend Forever) and I make it a day of shopping, lunch, dropping off,picking up projects for the machine quilting lady,  assembly line cutting and sewing. We are hot on Halloween projects and cutesy stuff, a lot of applique. I recently made my Mom the watch quilt for her 90th birthday. She worked at Bulova for 33 years.  Mom (91 ) tells me it's in the DNA as she remembers her grandmother making quilts. I make sure to photograph each project as I give most of them away. And I only have one eye to work with. Am I a woman or what?

I have a vacation quilting style.  I take many scenic detours (mini projects) while traveling on the main road of trying to get my big king sized quilted bedspread completed.  This is my first years of quilting.  I started the bedspread last April.  I quilt whenever I can which is usually about six hours per week--spaced at various and odd times.  

I enjoy designing my own quilts. I let the fabric inspire me into what to make with it.

I have multiple projects going at the same time in different stages of the process.

I like to quilt while listening to Audio Books. So whenever I have a little while to relax with an Audio Book, I sew a few seams, or cut some fabric, or quilt on one of my frames.

I make all kinds of sizes of quilts. Anywhere from Potholder to a Queen sized quilt.

After working a full day I come home, take care of dinner, throw a load of laundary in if I need to, to ward off the guilt and then I head upstairs to my "sun room (it's painted a bright butterscotch-ish color)" and sew for a couple of hours.  I have several projects going on and work one one to get it to a certain point and them might move on to the next.  Sometimes though Ill drop everything and just finish one.  It depends on the quilt, whether it's a gift, or for a seaonal quilt - anything goes.  I just love it all.

I sew and quilt whenever I have time to do so.  I usually have several projects on the go and work best with a deadline.  I have lots of "someday when i have time" projects in mind.

I build my quilts around personalities - Matching the quilt style, fabric and quilting to the individual its is intended for.  Once I know the style of quilt then I select the fabric according to the person and go from there.  I will usually scan fabrics into my EQ7 and audition the quilt there.  I love the process of crating a quilt and my motto is "a day without sewing isn't a day".  I enjoy combining techniques and trying new ones in quilts

I quilt on the weekends when I do my laundry because my laundry room is right next to my craft room

I love to quilt at any time.  I make many charity quilts and quilts that can be raffled off for local organations.  I donate to Project Linus, Hospice, Fire Department, American Legion, Vetrans Home, Rescue Squad  etc.  

I made a pledge to myself to quilt when I retired.  I retired two years ago, took two quilting classes through community ed to learn the newest techniques, and enrolled with Quilter's Club of America.  I took online classes and read my quilting magazines over and over until I felt ready to start.  I made two Christmas throws and three Christmas table runners. My first real quilt was the Yellow Brick Road quilt from class.  I have dog earred patterns I like and think I can handle, and I only buy fabrics I fall in love with, usually buying the line.  

I have bought several kits and have made a long list of quilts to make for family members. Every member will get one eventually :-)

I made a decision when I started quilting that I would finish a project before I started the next one.  I have done that.  I sew some almost every day.  It is therapy that has helped me with going through cancer and treatments.  It has also helped me with all of my back problems.  When I am sewing, I have to think about what I am doing and not about me and how bad I hurt.  I usually sew for others.  I pretty much give away everything that I make.  I love every minute of it too.  I like a challenge and so I try new things all of the time.  I have also finished projects for others that are too sick to finish them or who have passed away.  Sometimes there is just fabric cut and nothing put together and no pattern.  So you have to figure out what they had planned and put it together.  It is fun.  Then you give it back to the person, or to the family after it is done.  

I have only just started quilting -- don't laugh, ladies -- I have only completed two wall quilts and a pot holder.  

I don't have a quilting routine or style, yet -- but I thought it would be interesting and helpful to read what others wrote about their own routines and styles, so I have spent about 2 hours doing just that.  And it has been a valuable time spent.  I have learned so much from all of you who posted to this question.  This is the kind of thing I would ask a friend sitting across the kitchen table -- and what a bonus to have so many friends with so many different views and creative ideas!!!

QCA is the best quilting website -- among many really excellent quilting sites ---I have found on the internet.  And, the members, staff and quality sponsors are the elements that make it the best.  I am so glad I spent the extra dollars to get the premier annual mbrship.

Once again, thanks for all your posts.  You have given me lots to think about in developing my own style and routine.

Barb

I usually have to grab time to do piecing/quilting.  When I am finally really into either one I forget to do other things like cooking, laundry etc.  When it gets dark I figure it's too late now so why bother.  I'll just finish this quilt!  

I find that summer is hard for me to get at the quilts due to gardening that I also love.  The colors out there are beautiful in central MN this year.  We've had lots of rain.  There's lots of inspiration for both piecing and quilting designs in the faces of all those flowers and leaves so I have gotton some doodling done for quilting designs.  Choosing fabric and great patterns for all those fabrics is so much fun.  Thanks all you pattern designers for the choices.  Will try some of my own ideas too.

Right now I have a case of EXTAVASTASH so I'm trying to thin that down so I can work on a new case!

I've been making quilts for 7 years and using my Baby Lock Crown Jewel since February.  I have quilted two queen size quilts.  One I pieced and the other an antique which is also a family heirloom.  I took the antique in to Community Vac and Sew in Alexandria MN where I purchased my Jewel and had it critiqued.  I received good tips and also some great encouragment.  I think it is a good idea to have some one look at our work with a critical eye and be truthful.  Sometimes when we look at our own stuff our self critic is much too severe.

If you love to make quilts, continue to do so!  Any routine will do!!

Gladys

I started quilting at age 10yr, and I would do it every night as a child.  I didn't have a lot of time for it in my 20's, but now that I'm in my 30's I do it every night.