WIP it Good … Misery loves company!
Be honest: what is the last time you sat down and counted your sewing-related WIPs? (WIP = works in progress) Are you afraid to even look?
The other day I posted a question about this on Facebook - and I got a pretty big response! Here’s the breakdown:
It seems like a lot of us get caught up in the WIP trap: we’re attracted to the idea of a new, shiny project. New fabric! New techniques! An excuse to go shopping or break out the colored pencils and graph paper! And then … somewhere along the way we get bored! This project isn’t fun any more, it’s taking too long, I missed the deadline for completing it. The list goes on and on!
Some people work well this way – they like to have a variety of options for working on projects, depending on their mood. Other people feel overwhelmed when they have too many irons in the fire, so to speak, and it helps to work through those WIPs one at a time, checking them off the To Do list and paving the way for new, creative endeavors.
Either way, it’s nice to know we’re not alone (judging by those Facebook responses)!
If you’d like some tips for tackling your WIPs, here are some ideas we’ve put together:
1. Schedule it Out.
Maybe you need to actually plan out a working schedule for completing a project. Get out your date book or your digital calendar app, and make a note of the times and dates you want to set aside for working on this project. Break it down, task by task, and give each task the amount of time you think it will require, plus a little wiggle room. And go easy on yourself! You’re probably not going to finish a King-sized quilt in a weekend, even if you write it on your calendar. Make sure you schedule time that you can actually spend working on this thing, and then use that as your motivation to finish the projects.
2. Dangle the Carrot.
If you’re the type of person who responds well to positive reinforcement, why not try bribing yourself? Tell yourself that when you finish a WIP (or a stack of them, or a portion of one) that you will get a prize. The prize you choose is entirely up to you! Maybe it’s a night out with the girls for coffee and chatting. Maybe it’s a stop at your favorite ice cream parlor. Maybe it’s a trip to the fabric store to plan your next project!
3. Or, use the stick.
Maybe negative reinforcement is better for you? Try telling yourself that you’re not allowed to do something you really enjoy – buy new fabric, cut out a new project, plan a new project, or buy a sewing magazine – until you finish something. Sometimes denying ourselves something we really want is very motivating in the attempt to finish things!
4. Stay Organized.
It’s easy to have too many WIPs if you find yourself regularly losing the supplies you need to finish ONE project in the first place! Use baskets, large plastic zipper bags, shelves, or bins to store all the materials you need for your current WIPs (one container per project). That way, when you get inspired to work on something, everything you need will be neatly arranged in one place, ready to go. Don’t lose time digging for supplies, keep them within easy reach and see how quickly you can finish those WIPs and tame that pile or projects!
Do you have any advice on taming the WIP monster? I’d love to hear it in the comments below!
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