Wednesday 7 January 2015

The WIP Box Reflections


About nine months ago I wrote a blog post, setting the goal to empty my Works in Progress box. I've been planning for a few weeks now to write and share how I didn't reach my goal. My WIP box is still full. But this morning when I sat down in front of my box to take stock, I realised it wasn't full of the same projects, but with different ones. In fact, I think apart from a pile of dresses that I just can't manage to finish off, most of the quilts in this box were all started last year.
So it got me thinking about my year of WIP box finishes and how I feel about this old box that has haunted me since I started collecting projects as well as fabric.


I've always wished I was the kind of person to work on one quilt at a time. Press, cut, sew, press, quilt, bind, give or sell. Then move on to the next one. It's such a clean process, that I've assumed my head, which is always busy with kids and ideas and expectations, would find restful and comforting. This could be my one area of life that is ordered and clear cut. That was my goal last year. To clear out my box of disorder so I could have a clean slate. But instead of changing my habits, I think I discovered/accepted something even better. For me, anyway.


The first important thing that happened was that I pulled this box down from the shelf, made a new home on the floor, and opened the lid. Then, as I needed gifts for friends, or new inspiration struck for old, forgotten blocks, they were there to work on. Quilts like the one above, which I'd been working on for over a year, came together in the end, quickly and joyfully, and with great purpose. I realised that often I'd lost joy for a project because it was taking so much longer than I had anticipated. But coming back to it fresh was a bit like starting again, but with all the little, time-hungry piecing or cutting already done.


Projects that I really wasn't happy with, I let go, and took to with the seam ripper. If a friend came around for a coffee, I gave her one too, and we sat and chatted together and made the work go faster. I was surprised at how satisfying this was. Much more, in fact, that pushing on and spending time and money finishing a quilt that I didn't like. And now I have that fabric back! Albeit in 2.5" strips or 5" squares, but I've now given them their own bag or box and I dig through them often.



There are times (in the month? I'm sure it's hormone related!) where I'm absolutely bursting with ideas. I spend my evenings drawing and the kids rest time cutting and laying out. Then there are times when all I can do is sit and chain piece, while I let my brain mull over things that are tricky, or tune out completely. The quilt above started as a Collage layer cake that I won nearly two years ago from Fabric Bubb. Then, when in the mood for playing, out came different co-ordinating fabrics, which became a pile that sat together for 6 months or so. Then one weekend late last year, while Tim was away, even thought there were gifts to make and boxes to pack, I pulled out my Accuquilt and started cutting in front of a movie one evening. The cut pile went back in the WIP box until after Christmas when I just needed to work on something that was already thought through, something I could stitch in short intervals between unpacking and hosting guests. When inspiration hit again, a completed quilt top was set aside while I followed my fancy with this new quilt below. Then on the weekend, the longing for long, monotonous quilting struck, and and I finished the quilt last night.



I think the thing I love most about blogging is the discipline of taking note, sharing goals, and telling stories. It helps me appreciate who I am and how I work best. Without it, I'm not sure I would have learned to embrace my WIP box as something that enables me to work effectively rather than as a sign of a lack of discipline or productivity. I would have kept assuming that I'd failed at my WIP box challenge, rather than succeeding at the most important parts, that I let it empower my creativity, and learn to use it well. I would have assumed my habits hadn't changed, rather than realising they'd changed in a wonderful way - I was rifling through this box regularly for inspiration, rather than hiding it in a cupboard in shame.

So my goal for this year? To trust myself. To put something down when I don't have the drive for it anymore, knowing I'll come back to it later with a fresh vision and energy. To not let those scrappy strips or charm squares hang over my head impatiently, but to wait for a good idea to use them. And to enjoy the seasons of creating and innovating, rather than squash them out with a list of rules and unfinished projects.

Want to join me?


Linking up to Fabric Tuesday and WIP Wednesday.

24 comments:

  1. wow, great post. lots to think about!! thx for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very true. I also work on many projects and try not to feel guilty.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ah, I can really relate to just about everything in your reflective post! I often get re-inspired with older WiP's. When the time is right they do get finished, maybe in a different way than the original idea but that's ok too! Just over Xmas I finished up 2 quilts that I had kinda lost enthusiasm for, but am so glad I went back to them with - as you say- fresh energy, 'cos the recipients both love them & have sent me pics of those old WiPs/now quilts in their new homes! Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really enjoyed this post. I love how blogging helps us think about ourselves and our habits while keeping a record of our progress! (visiting from Freshly Pieced: WiP Wednesday)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great post!!! I'm in!! I love how you talk about the box and its uses and about waiting for the right inspiration for those scraps and charm squares! Looking forward to reading more about you, this year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really enjoyed reading about your year in the WIP box. I love how you have grown & learnt about yourself and that you take the time here to reflect on it. We did finish a few pinny's maybe I can help you get the others out of there when I come to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You take gorgeous photos of very beauiful makes - a lovely post :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just took stock of a particular WIP that I've had hanging over my head for a year now ... I just can't do repetitive block quilts ... I'm going to give myself permission to change this one up and innovate instead of feeling guilty about it in the cupboard. It's great to see quilter's unshackle themselves, can't wait to see what you do next :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Some lovely photos there, you have some amazing projects!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great post! Your way of looking at that box of WIP's is uplifting. And your work is lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a great post and such wonderful work!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I always try to have two or three projects going at different stages so I can work on whatever I feel like doing that day- piecing, quilting, binding, etc! I love all your bright cheerful colors!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am one of those kind you spoke of that only does one project at a time. I mentally get overloaded trying to work on more than that and then nothing gets accomplished. Lol. I do love all your fabrics though! Such bright and vibrant colors! I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding new purposes for them :-)

    ~ Jess ~
    Everything Is Coming Up Rosie

    ReplyDelete
  14. One of these days I hope to get to the end of my WIP closet......every time I think I do, I find another closet :-/

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm not certain my WIPs (I call them UFOs - unfinished objects) have such noble purpose - but I love your perspective!! I keep each of them in their own box (and at last count I think I had nearly 30).

    ReplyDelete
  16. At the urging of a friend I watched a TED talk last year that talked about those very hormones! The ones that urge you to work on something "mindless" so your thoughts can meander elsewhere, and the ones that give you that creative burst of energy.
    Since watching it, I've stopped beating myself up when I don't feel like working on what I think I should be working on. I've learned to trust my creative self :)
    Sometimes I still have trouble figuring out what exactly to expend this alternating energy on... Maybe I'll put all my WIPs in a bin like yours.

    Also, I love that new quilt you are working on! It's fabulous :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's so true. It was very freeing when I realized that I have energy for different phases of quilts at very different times. It really helps me to have several quilts in the works at the same time. Good for you to gain the perspective you needed on your wip box!.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a fantastic post - I really enjoyed reading it - and how right you are - throw the guilt away and bring the WIP box to the forefront! I love the idea of giving yourself permission to stop working on something when the creative energy ebbs - I am always afraid to do that in case it never comes back but your experience shows that it does. I do get moods when I want to just brainlessly chain piece instead of laboriously cutting out pieces for a new project that I am excited about. I guess the best and most productive and enjoyable thing to do is to find a project that you have that suits your current mood!!! Brilliant. If you feel like snuggling up in a chair to watch a movie and bind a quilt by hand, or stand for ages cutting new shapes out, chain piecing for hours, and so on - just ffind a WIP that fits the bill. Love it.
    Thanks I will work on shedding my strict upbringing that dictates that I finish one thing before starting another - it can be unenjoyable when the passion fades and your mind is yearning to do something else.
    Pauline
    perry94022 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for your refreshing post. You gave me a lot to think about in terms of how I approach how I work.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm with you. This year I've decided to focus on the word "blessed" and just be happy with what is and not worry about the rest. Who cares how much fabric/how many wips/and whether you finish what you start? Just enjoy yourself and live for today.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I agree! I have those same cycles and use my WIP bin to match my perspective when I plan what I want to sew for the day or week.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sounds like good, relaxing fun! I'm determined to keep a more mindful approach to this new year and this would be a great start.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awesome post! I am getting caught up with Bloglovin and really enjoy reading on Tales of Cloth =)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love this! I definitely don't pursue a project I'm not happy with- my baby quilt for my little girl has been in the works for over a year now as I take multiple breaks from it, but I'm so happy because I went in a completely different direction than originally intended and couldn't be more thrilled with the results! A fresh perspective can do wonders!

    ReplyDelete

I so love your comments! I read all of them and reply when I can. If you don't hear back, I'm lost under a mound of scraps or outside jumping on the trampoline with the kids. Jodi. xx