4 Tips for Quilting Time Management

4 Tips for Quilting Time Management (From Someone Who’s Juggling It All Too)

Let’s be real: finding time to quilt with a busy schedule can be HARD. You want to make something beautiful, but sometimes, quilting ends up at the bottom of the to-do list. I get it—because I live it. I work a full-time job, I’m a mom, and like most of you, I’m constantly balancing about ten things.  BUT! quilting still calls to me. It’s how I ground myself and it’s how I create joy.

So if you’ve ever felt like you just don’t have time to quilt, this post is for you. These four time management tips are straight from my own sewing room—my own quilting routines that I have found help me find time to quilt.

1. Plan Ahead (Even Just a Little Bit)

I won’t lie—when my brain feels scattered, so does my sewing room. That’s why I started keeping a simple WIP tracker and using small bins to separate projects. It’s nothing fancy, but it works. I always know what I’ve started, what I’ve abandoned (for now), and what’s calling my name next.

When deciding what to work on, I ask:
Do I have a deadline? Is this for an upcoming baby shower? A birthday that somehow snuck up on me?  If not, I let time guide me. Got 30 minutes? I’ll sneak in a block or two. Feeling ambitious? Maybe I’ll tackle sewing together a full quilt or start cutting out something brand new.

You can also get creative with your time management.  A couple years ago I started working on long-term, block-of-the-month-style projects.  Not only do these projects let me tackle my ever-growing scrap bin, but I work on them in bite sized pieces each month.

Having a plan—even a soft, flexible one—makes all the difference.

2. Break It Down & Batch It Up

Working on large quilting projects can sometimes feel overwhelming. So here’s a trick I use: I chunk it out.

Whenever my projects feel too big or my to-do list starts to make my chest tighten, I pause and grab a scrap of paper. This is why I like to keep a list of all of my projects and any associated deadlines with them written out. It can be easy to spend a decent amount of the time you have just trying to figure out what you want to sew, but when everything is in one list, it helps you make a decision faster!

Don’t have a work-in-progress tracker yet?  Follow this link to have one emailed to you!

Another time-saving quilting tip I love is to work in batches. Chain piecing and strip piecing are my go-to’s whenever possible! The fewer times I have to switch gears, the more focused I feel—and the more I actually get done.  Also, if my time is up after I finished chain piecing a bunch of half square triangles, I’ll leave them on my pressing mat to press the next opportunity that I have to work on the project.

3. Use the Pockets of Time You Do Have

I’ve said it before, quilting with a busy schedule is hard.  So, let’s talk about those 30-minute windows—the in-between moments when the house is finally quiet or the kiddo is playing. That’s when I swoop in to sew up a block or two. I’ve finished entire quilts this way. It doesn’t take a whole afternoon. It just takes showing up for yourself, little by little.

Think about your schedule in earnest.  Is there a chuck of time each week that you can set aside for sewing?  For me, it tends to be Sunday afternoons - after all the chores are finished I’ll sit and sew until its time to button things up and get ready to make dinner.  Make it a habit if you can!

My favorite quick win? Sewing up a single block. It might not feel like much in the moment, but those blocks add up—and fast. The momentum builds, and suddenly, you're halfway through your quilt top.

4. Give Yourself Grace (Like, Lots of It)

Sometimes, quilting doesn’t go as planned. Life happens. The machine acts up. You sew a seam the wrong way twice, and you want to scream or cry.  When this happens, walk away. Take a breath. This is supposed to bring you joy, remember?

If you fall behind on a goal or deadline, be gentle with yourself. We’re all carrying so much. Your quilt will wait for you—and so will the joy of making it!

To my beginner friends: you don’t need hours at a time to sew a quilt. You just need a little space, a little rhythm, and a whole lot of heart. You’ve got this!

Bonus Tips From My Sewing Room

• ✨ Find your people. Join a quilt-along or a quilting bee. Accountability helps—so does encouragement.
• ✨ Don’t overcommit. Know your limits. Especially during the holidays or gift-giving seasons, less really can be more.
• ✨ Treat your sewing time like a little ritual. Water bottle, snacks, music or a good audiobook. This is your time.

Whether you're making your very first quilt or diving into your tenth WIP this month, I hope this post reminds you that your time matters. Your creativity matters. And you deserve to carve out space to make something beautiful.  I also hope these time-saving quilting tips spark some creativity for you!

I am all about quilts that bring delight and fulfillment. There’s no wrong way to do this—only your way. So plan a little, sew a little, and let the joy build block by block (just like that lovely quilt you’re making)!  Happy quilting!