How to Keep a Quilting Journal

A simple diary serves as a record of your past, present, and future quilts and organizes planning material in a central place. When the time comes to tackle a new project, you won't waste time deciding what to work on next.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric Samples
• Binders
• Folders
• Notebooks
• Pencil Cases
• Pencils Or Pens
• Cameras
• Film
• Cameras
• Notebooks

1. Select a notebook, binder, or folder with pockets in the inside cover.

2. Save photos of interesting quilts from magazines or newspapers.

3. Jot down descriptions or sketches of favorite quilts you see or ideas for original designs.

4. Save quilt patterns you like or note names of pattern books, including page numbers for reference.

5. Add your impressions about each quilt.

6. Create a prioritized list of the quilts you want to make.

7. Record details of fabrics purchased, time spent working, expenses, particular techniques used, problems overcome, dates quilts were started and finished, and other pertinent information.

Tips & Warnings

• Your record of expenses and time spent quilting will help you calculate prices if you are making quilts to sell.
• The history behind each project can become a valuable family record.
• If you sell or give away your quilts as gifts, keep a photograph of each one in your journal.
• Keep sample fabric swatches in a clear plastic pencil case snapped into your binder.

[Stitchingcow]

on 9/10/2007 Leanne Beazley is an Australian designer who creates beautiful quilt journals. For some ideas and sample pages from one of her journals go to:
http://leanneshouse.typepad.com/photos/homespun_magazine_dvd/index.html

on 11/22/2005 Always make an extra block or partial block, write or embroider your name, date, and the name of the quilt. One hundred years from now when your quilt ends up in a museum, it will make it easier for researchers to match your journal with the quilt.

on 11/22/2005 Be sure to embroider your name and the date you made that quilt for that special someone. Embroider on the back lower right corner of the quilt.