As we reach the peak of the summer heat in the northern hemisphere, quilting can easily fall to the back burner. Whether we're busy with summer activities or feeling drained from the heat, staying in the zone can be tough. Here are some of my tips for keeping your sewjo going all summer long.
Go Small
Smaller projects like mini quilts and wall hangings come together quickly. You can finish one in an afternoon or work on it a few minutes at a time whenever you find the chance. My daughter and I each made pineapple mini quilts from this free pattern several years ago. They were finished in an afternoon, and we swapped pineapples so each of us would have one in our sewing spaces as a reminder that we can still create together.
Choose Your Steps
The last thing I want to do after a hot day is sit under a quilt while I’m binding it. If you have a project ready for binding, maybe schedule it for sometime in September! My favorite summer tasks are cutting and piecing. Once the worst heat passes, I can bring the project out again to finish it.
Quilty Admin
Summer can be a great time to handle some of those admin tasks you’ve been meaning to do. If your WIP pile is overwhelming, summertime is perfect for staying in the AC to organize projects and get them ready for fall. If you’re not busy sewing, you can also use this time to decide which projects you might want to let go of. Remember, we don’t have to finish everything we start.
Have you been thinking about doing a big fabric destash? This is another great way to stay cool while finding a new home for fabrics you no longer want or like. If you want to be more mindful about fabric stashing, you can start grouping fabrics by future projects. Finish by tidying everything up, and you’ll be ready to go when the weather starts to cool.
Cleaning isn't always fun, but summer is a great time for a deep clean of your sewing space. This can mean cleaning and oiling your sewing machine, reviewing your tools and specialty rulers to keep only what you truly use, and using the vacuum to remove all that fabric dust and lint.
Whether you decide to sew or organize, these are the tips that keep me going all summer. What would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.
