I changed jobs recently, going from fully remote to fully in-person! While there are some great things about being back in an office (talking to people, not just the cat!), I’ve definitely noticed how much tighter my schedule feels with the added commute. It’s been a challenge to find the energy to sew after a long day, and I know I need to find a way to improve my quilting productivity!
Luckily, I have an old trick that I fall back on when I feel like I don’t have enough time to do something: I set a timer for 15 minutes. I do the activity for that 15 minutes, and then when the time goes off I can either set it again or I can move on to the next thing that requires my attention.
You Can Do Anything for 15 Minutes
I first learned this trick from Marla Cilley, aka The Flylady in her book Sink Reflections. One of her favorite sayings is “You can do anything for 15 minutes.” And while she’s mostly talking about housekeeping, she also applies this mantra to things like exercise or tackling tasks that feel too large and overwhelming.
Some days, my entire sewing room feels large and overwhelming! There have been times when I have stepped through the door and literally stopped in my tracks. I don’t know what project I want to work on or remember that I’m so frustrated with a project that I put it into the penalty box (aka a time-out for non-hockey families!) When I find myself inching slowly back out of the room, I know it’s time to pull out the trusty timer.
Back when I first learned about this trick from the Flylady, I did use an old-fashioned kitchen timer. Now, I use my Apple Watch. I love that it vibrates silently when it goes off (no loud alarm noises!) and I can’t accidentally lose it under a pile of fabric since it’s attached to my wrist!
Using a Timer
Once I’ve made the commitment to use the timer, the only decision I have to make now is what project I’m going to work on for those 15 minutes. I generally have a few different types of projects going on at once (piecing, English paper-piecing, quilting, cutting), so I try to choose the one that I feel most excited about. When I just can’t decide, I always fall back on English paper-piecing so at least I can sit in my comfy armchair for my 15 minutes! (Fun Fact: This is the same logic I use at the gym; if I REALLY don’t feel like running or walking I’ll use the recumbent bike because then I’m “sitting” so it feels easier!)
Then it’s super simple; I start my timer and sew or quilt steadily for 15 minutes! When the timer goes off, I decide if I have the time/energy to do another round, or if I’m ready to move on. I’ve managed to work for over an hour without realizing it, on a day when I felt especially lazy, just by using my timer! On the other hand, if I decide I’m done after that first 15 minutes I can still leave my sewing studio feeling proud that I found time to sew on a busy day.
Give it a Try!
The next time you’re feeling either overwhelmed or tight for time, try setting a timer and sewing for just 15 minutes! Does 15 minutes feel too long or too short? Change the time! Try setting a 5-minute timer or a 60 minute one. Experiment with the length and find the amount of time that feels the best for you. Don’t want to use your phone or watch? Find a cute kitchen timer and give that a try!
Bonus: This also works great when you have something you need to do (like chores), but also want to sew! Set your timer for 15 minutes to do some chores. When it goes off, immediately stop what you’re doing and set it again – but this time use the time to sew! Rinse and repeat as much as you want. I’ve gone through a whole day in 15 minute increments as I bounced around doing different household tasks, all interspersed with sewing time.
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