Need tips for multiple WIPs...

[Like_Fine_VVine]

Good morning!

As I'm sure you know by now I'm new here lol. So some of this may have already been addressed, I apologize for not searching for the answers first.

I'm curious about a few things that have come up for me as I've read through the forum....

I've only ever worked on a singular project at a time. For those of you with multiple WIPs, how do you stay on track? How do you keep up with where you stopped stitching so you know where to re-start and do you have multiple frames going at the same time or spend the time to re-frame (I use a scroll) every time you switch out?


Thanks in advance!
Wine

[cassle]

Hi Vvine...

Since I'm not a fast stitcher, I just currently have 2 WIPs right now. The QS Believe from HAED and Wish from Dimensions. Well, actually, having multiple WIPs could make me stay on track better because sometimes I just get tired to stitch one project *or a little bit bored* and while I still have some time to stitch, I can't waste it so I could stitch on another one.

Well, some people rotate by months / weeks (time based).. Some people do the rotation after they finished a page (especially for HAED stitchers)..

And me.. Well, I think I just pick any WIP that I like then working on it when I get the time, because I hardly find the spare time. That's why I try to limit only 2 WIPs so they could be finished on time (I mean, not really long to be done).

I don't use frame, but I think people use multiple frames.. Or you could do the page rotation so you won't get tired only for framing and re-frame.

[willow]

I only work on one project until it's finished, my daughter on the other hand has a few on the go ( it's a good job i've got plenty of frames) lol

[ChicagoMay]

I would like to hear about this from everyone too. I have two WIPs now, and I'm almost done 1/4 of a page of one. Might switch to the other one after, or I'll just finish the page. Haven't decided yet. I'll probably just use my 1 q-snap frame when I switch.

[stitchiemom]

I don't like to work on more than one project at a time, so this tread will be interesting to read.

[helbel]

I have 2 scroll frames and a WIP on each. I just switch them on my Lowery stand when I change.

WIPs on hoops I just switch the hoop as I only have 1 I like to work with.

[carolynbb]

I have a bunch of Q-Snap frames, so I have one per project.

I usually have a time-sensitive project going on (like, for an upcoming birthday or something), so that one always gets priority.

My HAED is a surprise for my hubby, so that one gets worked on whenever I have a free night at home alone. Generally Wednesdays and Fridays while he's at the ice rink.

Otherwise, I used to do a strict time based rotation, but I started getting resentful. So now I work on one until I'm sick of it and then I switch to the next one. In practice, that usually works out to about two weeks at a time per project.

[Zeb]

I tend to stitch one project at a time, which means I get that sense of fulfillment when it's done and I can get onto stitching something new without feeling guilty.

I have a few UFOs that I started years ago before I made this "one at a time" rule and while I still want to finish em, it's going to take time, cause they're also BIG BIG stitches, and I havne't got the mojo to stitch large design these days.

[kimkat_tkl]

I have a big project that is my evening and weekends project and a smaller one that I do during my lunchbreaks at work, and for a couple of hours on a Thursday night at the stitching group I go to.

[aWorkInProgress]

This is a great topic! I also would like to know what everyone does.

I have only done small kits or stuff from a magazine. Thinking about attempting a haed in the near future, so knowing what everyone else does will be helpful.

[pamelam]

I just work on one project either until it's done, or I get tired of it and put it away thinking I'll finish it someday. I rarely do get it back out and finish it though.

[Rose]

It actually depends on how many I have on the go and if there is a deadline or if I have time to work as I go. At the moment I am on deadline for the projects I am finishing. All Christmas presents so I am working just one until done.

Once Christmas is over it will be back to 2 to 3 projects at a time and I work on one until bored then pick up a different one and work on that. Once I get to a point were it is almost done then I TRY to stick with it until done.

[Trylla]

I usually have several (between 2 and 4) on the go at once. I like to have a big one and then a few smaller ones. I focus mainly on the large piece, but I like taking a break for an evening now and then and working on a project that is very different ~ either different colours, different count fabric or different types of stitches. I have my projects on either scroll frames or q-snaps, usually a separate frame for each.

[Sarah Gixxer]

I have about 7 on the go. I use one 11 inch square snap frame which is suitable for all of them. The charts for all the projects are divided into several pages so I start with the first project in my list (which is shown in my signature) mount this one on the snap frame and stitch a full page of the chart. Then the project gets folded and put away in a plastic wrapper to keep it dust free until next time and I go to the next project on the list and stitch a page of that one. I keep the rotation going and I never get bored with any of them. Depending on what type of project it is (ie a HAED or a regular chart from a magazine or whatever) it usually takes me around a week - 10 days to stitch one page of chart before moving onto the next one so I don't have to take projects on and off the snap frame too often.

[Like_Fine_VVine]

Thank-you all for taking the time to share your insight. I like the idea of a few projects to keep from getting bored. I rarely see anything small that I'm really interested in doing...having the cross-stitch back out on a regular basis this year, I had considered making christmas presents. I couldn't find anything I liked though (I'm so picky ) and now I feel its too late to have the time to get them finished.

Oh well maybe for next year if I find something good .

[franacropan]

I have each project on its own scroll frame and I just switch them in and out of my Lowery stand as required; I love my Lowery. I store the wips, covered with a pillowcase, behind a chair.
Recently I have started using pako needle organisers and so this means a bit more work when I change projects as I have to unload them and reload for the next WIP. I intend to buy extra pakos and a plastic box and just leave them loaded per project.
A HAED takes 2 pakos and a golden kite takes 4 (200 colours!). A month or so ago I unloaded my golden kite (A Pensive Moment by Daniel Knight) and threaded each colour onto a scrap of aida and drew the symbol next to it and then packed it away in the appropriate bobbin box with its symbols cards(I kit up a box per project); so at the moment I have 2 pakos spare and 2 in use on A Long Winter's Nap. When I rotate onto Train of Dreams or my Mirabilia I can use the spare pakos but after that I will need more! or finish all threads off or unload onto a scrap.

[Nachstenliebe]

I usually have a few on the go at the same one.. Usually one big project for the evenings and when I'm at work and then a smaller one during the day/baby's naptime. I do have one project that I'm working on in the winter chilly months only... I have a ton of hoops but I really only use one. I take my work off the hoop nightly so I can use it for every project.
Faith

[ChicagoMay]

So now I work on one until I'm sick of it and then I switch to the next one. In practice, that usually works out to about two weeks at a time per project.

I think this is what I will do haha! I'm sick of my Midnight Grave one a bit, so probably going to switch!

[Like_Fine_VVine]

Recently I have started using pako needle organisers and so this means a bit more work when I change projects as I have to unload them and reload for the next WIP. I intend to buy extra pakos and a plastic box and just leave them loaded per project.

Hi Franacropan,

I checked out the pako organizer and it looks interesting. I read about parking threads on here and I'm testing it with my rooster. I'm enjoying having all my threads ready to go but I'm struggling to get comfortable with where to leave the parked threads. I'm parking with the needle left in the thread...I can't handle all that re-threading! Do you park your threads and if so, are you able to use the pako organizer to keep them out of your way or are you ending the thread every time you switch colors?

One thing I'm thinking about trying for this thread parking is attaching a magnetic strip to the side of my scroll...if I lay them over there I hopefully won't be so worried about bumping the needle and tearing my fabric. I'm not having any trouble with the floss knotting (yet, let's hope that doesn't happen) its just those pesky needles that are worrying me lol.

[franacropan]

Do you park your threads and if so, are you able to use the pako organizer to keep them out of your way or are you ending the thread every time you switch colors?

I stitch in ten stitch wide columns, row by row parking and I don't leave the needles on the thread. I find the pakos a tremendous help because 1) when I come to a new colour it is threaded up and ready to go and 2) If I finish a colour off because the next symbol is too far away or not worth searching for I finish it and pop it back in the organiser.I have a self imposed rule when parking that if I am searching more than two blocks away in any direction to park the thread, it is wasting more time than if I just finished it. I find this has helped with confetti heavy areas and as I use a pinhead stitch to start and finish and never have to flip my work I don't mind confetti at all since I started using the pakos. It feels like painting with threads, and the pakos are my pallette.