How do you decide what to make next?

Psalm_23

Doesn't matter the craft, we all have tons of projects in our queue.  How do you decide which project to tackle next? 

I can't decide on my next project (even though i'm not done with current one yet!) for a few reasons:

1) I have an afghan pattern ready, but haven't picked out yarn beacuse I'm waiting to see if we get new couches soon and I want them to match

2) I don't have yarn for anything, so I'd have to buy yarn for my next project, but I can't decide what that will be

3) I'm really undecided if I want to make 2 sweaters in a row (even though this one is turning out awesome!) even though I just got a book of awesome (mostly) sweaters (Link).  I'm debating between pretty much all of them, but specifically Ashfield, Mystic and Old Port.

so... how do you make your decisions?

Justinlove

I am terrible at this!  The easiest way for me to make a decision is to have a deadline--oh, I don't know, like a b'day dress or v'day dress   It HAS to be done by a certain date.  If they are just "I wanna make this" projects, well, then I am pitiful. 

CAM718

I make whatever I am most excited about. This method pushes all my less exciting projects to the bottom of the list, they may never get done, but it keeps me motivated!

Psalm_23

CAM718:

I make whatever I am most excited about. This method pushes all my less exciting projects to the bottom of the list, they may never get done, but it keeps me motivated!

This is the method I've been using.  However, I'm really excited about a lot of projects right now and it's not working

TheBridesMom

I sometimes go shopping with a couple of projects in mind, and when I find 'the perfect' supplies (and everything needed) for one of them, that's the one that I do.

Dr.Loretta

My decision-making is SO random.

The Advent scarf was obviously a no-brainer, as it was a time-sensitive thing. I have some things to make DD that she'll grow out of by summer, so they go to the top of the list. My mom sent me yarn to make her an afghan, so I need to get that done. Other than that I go through my project bags and see what strikes me.

Reinedumonde

Usually, it's just whatever strikes my fancy at the moment.  Sometimes the season affects my decision, too.  Like this week has been super cold, so I'm considering making a cowl for my next project.

And regarding that sweater book--gorgeous.  My vote goes for Old Port, not just because it's gorgeous, but also because I work in that area of Portland

Jeep Doll

Lately, it has been "who needs their gift done first"  LOL.

As for projects that are for myself or my home, I work on a little of each at a time, depending on what type of sewing I feel like doing.  If I am at a difficult part of a project, I can either be determined and bust through it, or put it aside and pick up another project for the time being.  Time available plays a part in it, too.  This is all if nothing is a priority to be finished.

Sometimes the prettiness of the project's fabric will call to me.

maryandkirk0909

I'm usually a "what will be most challenging" and tackle that first person.  Except for right now- I'm sick and in a crafting rut- so now I'm just sitting around like a lump and going to bed at 9pm.

jl&jl

It's funny because in real life, I'm such a planner...everything is mapped out to a T.  But all my crafting is done on a whim.  I have oodles of stored ideas in my brain, on pinterest, in file folders, etc....but I don't have a plan.  I just think "I'll work on this now" and then I do. 

louisvillebride21

I go through little obsessive streaks. I find a quilt somewhere and I HAVE to make it. Right now, I'm into Project Life, so everything else is going by the wayside. I also (luckily) have a sewing area and a scrapbooking/card making area, so I can leave one project out while I work on another. It's been a lifesaver because I often get burnt out on one and then switch to the other. 

nanann

I often sit in my sewing room suffering from indecision.  I really am mostly controlled by deadlines.  And when I get something difficult done, I almost always like to choose something easy and fast next.  I want that feeling of accomplishment again, and fast!

 

But even when I choose a project, I often then suffer from (I think I got this term from Justinlove) Paralysis by Analysis.  I sit there just...thinking...about what I should do next with a project.  I can often times be found in my room just...staring.

very useful information, I know.

Psalm_23

Reinedumonde:

Usually, it's just whatever strikes my fancy at the moment.  Sometimes the season affects my decision, too.  Like this week has been super cold, so I'm considering making a cowl for my next project.

And regarding that sweater book--gorgeous.  My vote goes for Old Port, not just because it's gorgeous, but also because I work in that area of Portland

Seriously, the book is amazing and has TONS of great patterns.  I'll be sure to let you know what I decide on, since I'm still working on Parcel (which is turning out great, BTW!)

adhdfashion

I'm generally inspired by a material. If I see something like........ I have the inter outfit designed, before I walk to the cutting table.  

Justinlove

nanann:

I often sit in my sewing room suffering from indecision.  I really am mostly controlled by deadlines.  And when I get something difficult done, I almost always like to choose something easy and fast next.  I want that feeling of accomplishment again, and fast!

 

But even when I choose a project, I often then suffer from (I think I got this term from Justinlove) Paralysis by Analysis.  I sit there just...thinking...about what I should do next with a project.  I can often times be found in my room just...staring.

very useful information, I know.

Yes, we can thank Mr. Justinlove for that one   He did not invent it by any means, but it is one of his favorite phrases to use when I am being indecisive!

Rock-n-Voll

Psalm_23:

2) I don't have yarn for anything, so I'd have to buy yarn for my next project, but I can't decide what that will be

I have nothing useful to contribute to this thread but just had to ask...how can this be?!  

Oh, wait, I do have something to contribute.  I am on a yarn freeze; i.e., I'm not allowed to buy any more yarn until I make a serious dent in my stash.  So for now I pick projects based on what I can make with what I have on hand

SpookieCat

I'm currently working on three quilt tops at once right now.  I keep them in separate storage bins and I rotate through the blocks which provides me with adequate variety.  That's probably not helpful though. 

 With knitting and crochet I am more linear but I always wind up setting aside the projects that are meant for me in order to complete the baby and birthday gifts that come along. 

In terms of deciding what to do next, I would hold off on the afghan until you get the couches for sure. (I started an afghan 3 years ago that I just gave away at Christmas since it doesn't match the living room in the new house).  I would also probably go wandering in the yarn store until I found something that spoke to me for one of the other projects you have on your list.  Sometimes I can't find the right yarn/fabric for what I have in mind.  And so then I wait until it does come along.

Good luck in your decisions.

Psalm_23

Rock-n-Voll:

Psalm_23:

2) I don't have yarn for anything, so I'd have to buy yarn for my next project, but I can't decide what that will be

I have nothing useful to contribute to this thread but just had to ask...how can this be?!  

Oh, wait, I do have something to contribute.  I am on a yarn freeze; i.e., I'm not allowed to buy any more yarn until I make a serious dent in my stash.  So for now I pick projects based on what I can make with what I have on hand

Yes, well, I have tons of scrap yarn/ half skeins/ random stuff, but I don't have more than 1 skein of anything useful (unless you count the 10 skiens of sugar'n'cream cotton yarn my grandma gave me).  So in order to make a sweater or blanket, I would need to buy yarn.

I did recently, however, use up a bunch of scrap yarn to make 2 baby blankets for friends (and plan to use this method frequently to use up my misc. stash)

Rock-n-Voll

Psalm_23:

I did recently, however, use up a bunch of scrap yarn to make 2 baby blankets for friends (and plan to use this method frequently to use up my misc. stash)

Nice!  What pattern did you use?  I always try to save patterns that I can use scrap yarn for.  I hate throwing out perfectly good yarn.

Psalm_23

Rock-n-Voll:

Psalm_23:

I did recently, however, use up a bunch of scrap yarn to make 2 baby blankets for friends (and plan to use this method frequently to use up my misc. stash)

Nice!  What pattern did you use?  I always try to save patterns that I can use scrap yarn for.  I hate throwing out perfectly good yarn.

For one of them, I found all my misc. blue yarn and used this pattern.  It wasn't uniformly striped, but I really liked how it turned out.  The other one I used this pattern and it was pretty awesome.  I didn't keep the color combos the same, but I did keep the "type of square" the same.  I like blankets for scrap yarn because guage isn't important.

SpartanGirl

louisvillebride21:

I go through little obsessive streaks. I find a quilt somewhere and I HAVE to make it. Right now, I'm into Project Life, so everything else is going by the wayside. I also (luckily) have a sewing area and a scrapbooking/card making area, so I can leave one project out while I work on another. It's been a lifesaver because I often get burnt out on one and then switch to the other. 

I so wish I had this!  I tend to get into ruts.  I'm always reluctant to switch between the two because I hate moving everything.

My decision making is usually based on what needs to be done first or by what catches my attention first.