Quilting is a very important part of our life (that’s why you are reading quilting sites that interest you). Having or even getting time to quilt is a very individual issue. Some of us are time rich, and some are time poor. How do you make sure that you have the time to create wonderful quilts?

I realised some years ago that time for quilting wasn’t finding me, so I had to find time. I’ve managed to incorporate quilting into every day. In some way I make the time to quilt. This is not only enjoyable, but I’m sure contributes to my sanity and ability to run the household and positively contribute to relationships that really matter to me.

So I devised a plan that still works for me to this day. I call it my Quilt Time Plan (QTP). I developed the habit of never having my hands idle. Never. Every moment where my hands are free, I will now have some sort of stitching going on. For example, when I cook tea, I have a small box containing my needle, pins, scissors, glasses, thimble and a current project. I find that when I’m cooking tea, once I’ve done my preparation of cutting and slicing, I’m really usually standing at my post keeping an eye on things as they cook. I can’t leave the stove so I bring my quilting to the stove. Sometimes I’m piecing, sometimes I’m stitching. I may be taking the paper backing out of a finished block; I may be stitching the binding on a finished quilt. I usually pick something that I can put down in a hurry (when things are burning or need turning) and pick up again without losing my place. Since I’ve developed this habit I find I get so much done, that would otherwise be languishing in my workbox waiting for “time”. Even as I write this article, I’ve got some stitching in my lap ready to pick up. When I need time to compose my thoughts, I pick up my quilting and get those hands working. My brain works the same whether my hands are busy or not. (Well, most of the time!)

My (QTP) plan also includes making the most of my waiting times. I spend a big amount of my waking time waiting – waiting for public transport, waiting to be picked up, waiting for a doctor’s appointment, waiting for arrivals at airports, waiting to collect visitors, just waiting. So I pack a similar box to my kitchen box and it travels in my handbag where ever I go. I’ll often have small pieces of piecing to do, or just some fabric and scissors for cutting out leaves in readiness for my next appliqué adventure. Sure I sometimes have to go in search of that one leaf I need to finish my block. It’s in the car – somewhere!

The most important part of my plan was to actually set aside “appointments” for my quilting. At the beginning of every week, I make appointments with myself to quilt. Just like making an appointment for the dentist or hairdresser, I set appointments for time to quilt. These appointments are non-negotiable just like a doctor’s appointment might be. No compromise, the time is set aside for an occasion which is just as important as a doctor’s appointment. It works very well for me. I always consult my diary before making arrangements with others, to ensure I don’t break any of my quilting appointments.

This way I find the time to quilt, instead of waiting for the time to find me.
Do you have a way that gives you time to quilt? Here’s the link to the forum for you to tell other quilters how you find time to quilt.