1/2 PRICE BOOK SALE going on now.

Book Inventory List

These instructions are a WIP (Work in Progress).  I'm offering them here until all the pictures are uploaded and links are working.  Afterwards they will probably be available in the online learning area of this site.

Please respect copyright rules by only printing a copy for your own personal use.  Thank you!

Developing Your Own Quilt Journal

Instructions

• Gather Your Supplies

  • Supply List:

    • 3" D-ring notebook with clear pocket on front

    • Supply of colored paper

    • Supply of sheet protectors

    • Index cards

    • You'll also want to start gathering:

      • Photos of finished projects

      • Photos of W(H)IPS (Works (Hopefully In Progress)

      • Photos, postcards, magazine pictures and/or scans you use for inspiration

      • Patterns

      • A book list of your quilting library

    • Optional:

      • Computer with word processing program

        • I use MS Word.  You need to be able to turn a text frame to fit vertically on the edge of the page to make section tabs.

        • Print Artist or similar graphics programs will work.

      • Scanner - helpful but not necessary

      • Digital camera - helpful but not necessary

• Create a Cover for Your Quilt Journal

  • Here are some ideas for your cover:

    • Computer graphic - This could be a scene (.jpg photo) or a computer graphic (black and white or color) of something sewing or quilting related. [Add section of links to web graphics sites that offer free graphics for quilting and sewing.]

      • Graphics programs for scrap booking or card making are ideal for this.

    • An 8" x 10" photo of ?? - This could be a photo of you (quilting, perhaps?), your favorite quilt, a family photo, family pet (the cat who won't stay off your quilting, for instance...), a tranquil scene, anything!

    • A piece of fabric

    • A quilt block

    • A computer generated copy of a quilt block

      • i.e.:  Something from EQ or Corel Draw

    • A scrapbook page you've created with scrap booking supplies or rubber stamps.

    • A collage of photos of finished quilts

    • Use your work processing program to make a page with a fancy border and "My Quilt Journal" centered on the page in a nice calligraphy font.

      • Other names for your journal:

        • [Your Name]'s Quilt Journal

        • My Passion

        • My All Consuming Obsession

    • Make a page with a border and scatter quotes about quilting on the page. [upload a sample page]

• What Sections Do You Want to Include in Your Journal?

  • Read through the descriptions of the various sections that could be included in your Quilt Journal.  Decide on the sections you would like to include.  You will be making a divider for each section you want to include later on in the development of your journal.  The most important section is the W(H)IP Section (see next section).  That's where we are going to start.

• W(H)IPS - Start Here!

  • The purpose of a W(H)IP page is to help you keep track of ongoing work on each quilt you have in progress.  (See section below)

    • There is really no need to start a W(H)IP page for quick and easy style quilts, small wall hangings, Quilt-in-a-Day-type projects -- any quilt top that you can complete start to finish in a week's time, let's say, can be put on a Finished Quilts Page.

      • If this quick and easy project is an original design, however, you may want to make some quick notes of the construction process for future use.

    • My main goal for putting together this journal was to avoid costly mistakes.

      • When I accidentally cut up fabric for one project that was a piece originally intended as backing for another project, I knew I needed to get more organized.  (It'd been a while since I bought the fabric and it wasn't with the rest of the fabric for the original project.  I kept wondering why I had this large of a piece of fabric laying on my cutting table all the while that I was cutting it.  Maybe you don't have this memory lapse problem like I do...)

    • Other reasons for my journal:

      • I needed to learn to keep materials I'd already decided on & supplies for each project together.

      • I needed to organize my basic supplies & redo my fabric storage area by color so that I could see what I needed to purchase in the future.

      • I also wanted to have at my fingertips information about where each project was on the trail to completion - especially for projects I'd put up for a time & was now ready to get back to work on...  I wanted to be able to see at a glance where I'd left off & what I might still need to purchase and what was left to do.

      • Some of my projects are still in the idea stage, but I have some fabrics I'd like to use already planned.  I wanted to make note of that

      • I wanted a place to keep track of future ideas and notes and clippings of things that inspired me.

      • I wanted a way to keep track of fabric purchased for large projects and to find a way to carry swatches with me when I was looking at fabric in case I ran across a fabric that I thought would be just perfect for this or that project in the works.

      • Sometimes when I have a project with a deadline for complete (like a gift, for example) but I keep forgetting to pick up that 1 thing I need (thread in a particular color, Steam-a-Seam, etc.) every time I run to the quilt store.

      • I wanted to see more of my W(H)IPS grow up into finished tops.

      • Basically, I needed to GET MORE ORGANIZED about my quilting!  LOL

• Creating Dividers

  • Make a divider for each section you want to include

    • Dividers can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make them.

      • As simple as the section name printed sideways (running vertically) along the right edge of a piece of colored paper and inserted into a sheet protector.

      • For more elaborate divider ideas, see the section on ideas for covers.

    • This is what my dividers look like.

• Description of Sections - in no particular order

  • Patterns:

    • This should be the last section in your notebook because you will probably be putting them in sheet protectors.  If you put them elsewhere in your journal, you'll have a difficult time finding your section dividers.

    • Put free pattern sheets in the front of this section.  Separate each pattern with a colored piece of paper.

      • A note about free patterns:  Be honest with yourself about each free pattern you receive or download and/or print from the Internet.  Yes, it's free, but are you ever going to USE this pattern.  If not, don't keep it!  It's just clutter if you're not going to use it.  If you want to, keep a list of websites that offer free patterns or patterns that you might want to do someday instead of printing off each pattern.  (Less clutter and paper wasted that way.)

    • Don't forget an index page.  List all your patterns.

    • Also include a Wish List page of patterns you'd like to purchase in the future if your budget is like mine -- much smaller than your list of things to do.  When you have extra money, you can use your journal to see what you need and want to purchase at a glance.

      • This can be a simple sheet of notebook paper.  List the pattern name, where you saw it, and price (good for comparison shopping) and maybe a note about why you'd like to purchase it.  (Ex:  This quilt reminds me of Susan and her family because of the trains.  Someday I'd like to make this quilt for her.)  These notes help me prioritize purchases when I have extra money.

    • If you have a really large collection of patterns, consider starting these off in their own notebook.

    • Another idea for storing quilt patterns is a large file box or drawer in a filing cabinet.  Put a Master Pattern Index page in your journal so you have a list of your patterns at your disposal.

  • Master Book List:

    • List of all quilting books, CDs & videos that you own.  List title and author at the minimum.  You could also include the publisher, year published and price paid.

      • If you have an extensive collection of books, your Master Book List could be broken down by topic.  If one of your topics corresponds with a section in your Quilt Journal, you could include a topical list in that section also.

    • You could also make a list of your quilting magazines.  List magazine title, volume and issue number, and I would also suggest listing the contents (article titles) from the cover.

    • If you lend out books, put a piece of notebook paper behind your Master Book List to keep track of books loaned out.  Include book title, name and phone number of person who borrowed the book & maybe the date.

    • Put a Book Wish List page in this section for future purchases.

      • This can be as simple as a sheet of notebook paper.  List the book name, where you saw it, and price (good for comparison shopping) and maybe a note about why you'd like to purchase it.  (Ex:  Want to purchase this book to add to personal library on quilt restoration techniques.  Book highly recommended.  Or:  Checked this book out of the library and want a copy for personal use.)  These notes help me prioritize purchases when I have extra money.

  • W(H)IPS:

    • Let's face it -- as quilters we all have a multitude of projects going on at once.  Or maybe it's just me?  LOL  (To be *totally* honest, we do not have to be quilters to have a multitude of projects going at once, nor do quilters *only* have quilting projects going on at once!!  Alas, it seems to be a way of life for me...  So many fun projects, so little time and/or money to get them all done.  [sigh])

      • I also have the fun task of keeping my brain wrapped around projects I'm helping my daughters to complete and they seem to come up with projects for which no pattern or instructions have yet been written!

      • As a side note:  I know this might be a scary prospect for some of you.  Do you really want to have written down for you and others in the world to see just how many quilting projects you have??  If it will make you feel better, I had more than 3 dozen pages at first.  I then decided that I would only make up a W(H)IP page for things that I had seriously committed to -- either I'd already bought quite a bit of the fabric or started cutting and/or sewing on the project already.  (Don't worry about finished tops that are in need of hand or machine quilting for now.  You can make up pages for those later.)

      • As a further aside:  If you haven't already guessed from my website, I'm a list maker.  I'm also a paper PILER as opposed to a paper FILER but notebooks and web pages lists are one way I've learned to overcome this deficiency.  They help me *contain* my piles, which is what us pilers need to learn to do.  I must admit, however, to having way more projects to complete than I have time or money to complete them.  BUT, if I put them on a list, they always get crossed off -- either I get them done and cross them off or I decide they aren't *ever* going to get done and cross them off.  Therefore, I will continue to make lists and make notebooks and web pages for my lists.

      • By way of *real* digression from the topic at hand...  I know that when I meet *my* Mr. Darcy, he will love me *in spite* of this short coming.  LOL

    • Okay, so what you want to do is to start a page for each long-term project you have going.  This is the place to keep all information about an ongoing project together -- IN ONE PLACE.

      • Include any pertinent information needed for completion of the project.

      • This is especially helpful for quilting projects that you've put away to complete at a later time.

    • Snap photos of your design wall

    • Did you work up a color or fabric swatch card?

    • Do you have photos, postcards, magazine pictures that you are using for inspiration?

    • Make notes to yourself of next steps needed in the completion process or where you ended when you last put this project up.

    • List any supplies or fabric that you still need to purchase in order to finish this project.

    • Even if you don't finish the project (may it never be!  LOL), consider each W(H)IP page as part of your quilting legacy.  (You do plan to leave a legacy behind, right?)  Imagine how *thrilled* a future family member quilter would be to receive your UFOs & Quilt Journal!

  • Finished Tops:

    • This could be a subsection of W(H)IPS unless you have a number of unfinished tops.  Then it could become its own section.

    • Keep photos of finished tops that need quilting or perhaps borders.

      • Note whether they've been dropped off for machine quilting.

      • Awaiting a stencil purchase if hand quilting.

      • Awaiting inspiration or design help for hand quilting.

  • Ideas & Inspiration:

    • Keep photos, postcards, magazine and catalog clipping, designs drawn on napkins, etc. in this section.

    • Keep notes to yourself on ideas that just pop into your head.  Keep plenty of index cards in your purse and by your nightstand (don't forget a pen) for those unexpected moments of inspiration!

  • Articles of Interest:

    • If you're like me, you have a passion for most things QUILTY.  This passion has created a need to organize information on quilts and quilting.  (That and the fact that I'm a paper piler, not a paper filer...)  This is the place to keep printed articles organized by topic.

    • These sections can easily become a notebook in themselves.

      • Take that stack of articles printed from the Internet and copies of magazine articles and copies of magazine articles and sort them by topic.

        • Scan and print magazine articles if you are able -- this makes them more durable for your notebook.

        • Or make a page that indexes your magazine articles that are relevant to the topic.

          • Include article name, magazine, issue/date, & page number.

    • Make a section divider for each topic.

    • Separate articles in each section by a sheet of colored paper.

    • Make an Index of Articles page for each topic if you have a lot of articles.

  • Hand Quilting Stencils:

    • Use a pencil to (carefully) trace your stencil design to paper.  Do only hand the stencil if the design area is too big for an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper.  Use this section to record ideas for other designs that you glean from books, magazines or other quilts.  (Mine includes an article on how to make your own stencils.)

  • Other:

    • More personalized sections:

      • Phone List

        • Could be helpful if you are in a guild.

      • Calendar

        • Could be helpful if you are in a guild.

        • Only keep one calendar for yourself.  If you keep a calendar in your household journal, there is no need to keep a separate calendar for quilt related events.  You risk missing events or at the very least duplicating your efforts (because you'll probably copy important quilting events onto the calendar you use most often) when trying to keep two calendars in separate locations.  

        • If you don't have a household journal or keep a personal calendar of any sort, use this calendar to keep track of upcoming shows, conference, workshops, classes, project deadlines, etc.

      • Internet Links

        • List of favorite online shops and quilt related links.

      • Orders

        • Could be kept with Master Shopping List  (That's where mine is.)  This is for copies of mail and Internet orders and eBay transactions.  Unless you do a lot of ordering, it's probably not necessary to have a separate section for orders.

  • Quilts Purchased:

    • If you are a quilt collector, you may want to record quilt purchases in a section of your Quilt Journal.  You could keep track of where you purchased the quilt, how much it cost, any history obtained about the quilt.  Also include photos, original receipts (or copies of scanned receipts), information about restoration undertaken, etc.

  • Classes and/or Workshops Taken:

    • List of classes and workshops taken.

      • Include date taken, teacher, where taken, class title, techniques learned, special purchases you made for the class.

      • Notes & handouts from the class.

      • Photos of work.

    • You could also use this section to keep track of upcoming classes.

      • Class supply lists

      • Supplies needed

  • Master Shopping List:

    • Compile a list of books, patterns, fabric and supplies that are needed to complete W(H)IPS.

    • Also include items that are on your Wish Lists.

    • Categorize your list by:

      • Basic supplies:

        • Ex:  new needles for machine, beeswax, thread.

      • List of supplies needed for specific projects.

        • Prioritize by project.

      • Other:

        • Books, CDs, patterns, class fees, etc.

    • Compile your list and save it for reference when you make a trip to the quilt store or attend a quilt show/conference.

    • Update it by checking or crossing off purchases.

    • Add to it periodically so that you can keep up with your projects and what you need to complete them.

    • Make up a new list when the old one gets too messy for your tastes.

  • Finished Quilts:  (I saved the best section for last!)

    • Use the page I designed or create your own to record important information about your quilts. [Link to Finished Quilts page]

      • Keep track of:

        • Quilt name

        • Photo

        • Recipient

        • Date started & finished

        • Inspiration for quilt

        • Reason for making quilt

        • Contributors in making quilt

        • Cost

        • Time involved

        • Label information

        • Appraised value

        • Notes on construction

        • Additional notes & photos

        • Shows entered & awards won

• My Journal [post pictures][some of finished quilts]

  • Sections and order they are in in my book:

    • Master Shopping List

      • Where to Find List

        • We live in a small town and don't have access to a large selection of quilting supplies in our local quilt shop.  I've created a list of places online to purchase supplies that we use, such as Thangles, Triangles on a Roll, quality hand quilting needles, silk ribbon, etc.

      • Copies of orders waiting to be received.

    • W(H)IPS

    • Finished Quilts

    • A Quilt of Comfort

      • These are quilts that I am making with two friends.  We call them A Quilt of Comfort because they have scriptures on them.  We make them and give them away to people we hear about that are in need of comfort.  This could be someone going through chemo, grieving over the loss of a loved one or whatever.  We try to do one a month.

      • This section keeps track of each quilt we make by recording the recipient, the date, and scriptures used.  If we have a picture, it's included.

    • Ideas and Inspiration

      • I have a list of quilts I want to make

      • I keep copies of photos of various landscapes, also copies of posters that inspire me.  [link to poster web sites]

    • Classes and Workshops

    • Quilting History Articles

    • Vintage Quilts Articles

    • Quilt Restoration Articles

    • Master Book List

    • Hand Quilting Stencils

    • Patterns

      • Pattern Index page

      • Free patterns

      • Patterns