I finished all my Hourglass blocks! Now to sew them together and add a couple of borders. I am a person who really enjoys piecing individual blocks, but when it comes to sewing the blocks into rows, adding borders etc, my interest is not so keen. Most of the time I can manage to get my blocks sewn together (mainly because I want to free up my design wall). Often, however, my top then gets folded up, and set aside and I don't get around to attaching the borders.
I have a plan to tackle that flaw in my focus.
Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time management method dreamed up by Italian Francesco Cirillo. It was designed not only to get things finished and keep users on task, but to help them figure out how much they can accomplish in small increments of time.
So here's how it works.
1). Select a task.
2). Set a timer for 25-30 minutes.
3). When the timer rings, take a break for 3-5 minutes.
4). Repeat.
5). Continue to do multiple sessions if desired.
My idea is to start with a 30-minute session, take a break, then move on to something else. Slow and steady wins the race, and the project will be done in the end. This technique is supposed to be particularly great for those projects one finds tedious. The idea is to break a task up into short manageable increments that you tackle without interruption or distraction.
I will be adding a checkbox on my daily calendar for my Pomodoro sessions to get this Hourglass project completed.
51 responses to “Hourglass Blocks Finished and the Pomodoro Technique”
I’m going to try this, too. I have lots of WHP’s for cross stitch and UFO’s for quilting. I’ll be busy!
I’m going to try this, too. I have lots of WHP’s for cross stitch and UFO’s for quilting. I’ll be busy!
I’m going to try this, too. I have lots of WHP’s for cross stitch and UFO’s for quilting. I’ll be busy!
Thanks for reminding us of the Pomodoro technique. It really works. I just forgot all about it. Great New Year’s resolution.
Thanks for reminding us of the Pomodoro technique. It really works. I just forgot all about it. Great New Year’s resolution.
Thanks for reminding us of the Pomodoro technique. It really works. I just forgot all about it. Great New Year’s resolution.
I too find my motivation dwindle when I get to the point of assembling rows and adding borders! Thank you for this idea…your timing is perfect as I am wrapping up block assembly for two different quilts right now 🙂
I too find my motivation dwindle when I get to the point of assembling rows and adding borders! Thank you for this idea…your timing is perfect as I am wrapping up block assembly for two different quilts right now 🙂
I too find my motivation dwindle when I get to the point of assembling rows and adding borders! Thank you for this idea…your timing is perfect as I am wrapping up block assembly for two different quilts right now 🙂
I didn’t know it was a technique—I’ve done it for years, but I’ve called it 30-30-30. Some days I choose three tasks I’ve been needing to get done and rotate between them for 30 minute segments. It’s surprising how many times I get them done within 30 minutes. I also use it like you’re going to do and it really works for me.
I didn’t know it was a technique—I’ve done it for years, but I’ve called it 30-30-30. Some days I choose three tasks I’ve been needing to get done and rotate between them for 30 minute segments. It’s surprising how many times I get them done within 30 minutes. I also use it like you’re going to do and it really works for me.
I didn’t know it was a technique—I’ve done it for years, but I’ve called it 30-30-30. Some days I choose three tasks I’ve been needing to get done and rotate between them for 30 minute segments. It’s surprising how many times I get them done within 30 minutes. I also use it like you’re going to do and it really works for me.
Glad to hear I’m not alone! I can sew millions of blocks but stall out completely when it comes to row sewing and worse yet attaching borders. Thanks for the tip Nicole!
Glad to hear I’m not alone! I can sew millions of blocks but stall out completely when it comes to row sewing and worse yet attaching borders. Thanks for the tip Nicole!
Glad to hear I’m not alone! I can sew millions of blocks but stall out completely when it comes to row sewing and worse yet attaching borders. Thanks for the tip Nicole!
I’ve been doing this for a long time, years in fact. I didn’t know that there was a name for it. I either set a timer for 15-30 minutes and work on a project or I divide things into groupings of 10-20 sets, like half square triangles or flying geese, something repetitive. Especially if I have to make tons of them. 😁
I’ve been doing this for a long time, years in fact. I didn’t know that there was a name for it. I either set a timer for 15-30 minutes and work on a project or I divide things into groupings of 10-20 sets, like half square triangles or flying geese, something repetitive. Especially if I have to make tons of them. 😁
I’ve been doing this for a long time, years in fact. I didn’t know that there was a name for it. I either set a timer for 15-30 minutes and work on a project or I divide things into groupings of 10-20 sets, like half square triangles or flying geese, something repetitive. Especially if I have to make tons of them. 😁
This quilt is so pretty, and to my eye calming. I await the borders!
Here’s my effort for FOCUS in 2024: I have a notebook dedicated to tasks (sewing only!). I make a list of 4 projects to FOCUS on. When tempted to drift to other projects, I put that project in the future projects list, but work on my list of 4. Only after the 4 are done do I create my next list of 4. So far this has really born results! Sometimes I stall out with one step to complete…. putting quick finishes on the list is so motivating! This is working great so far! I enjoy your blog, the projects, the book reviews, and recipes , and Archie! Thank you for sharing!
This quilt is so pretty, and to my eye calming. I await the borders!
Here’s my effort for FOCUS in 2024: I have a notebook dedicated to tasks (sewing only!). I make a list of 4 projects to FOCUS on. When tempted to drift to other projects, I put that project in the future projects list, but work on my list of 4. Only after the 4 are done do I create my next list of 4. So far this has really born results! Sometimes I stall out with one step to complete…. putting quick finishes on the list is so motivating! This is working great so far! I enjoy your blog, the projects, the book reviews, and recipes , and Archie! Thank you for sharing!
This quilt is so pretty, and to my eye calming. I await the borders!
Here’s my effort for FOCUS in 2024: I have a notebook dedicated to tasks (sewing only!). I make a list of 4 projects to FOCUS on. When tempted to drift to other projects, I put that project in the future projects list, but work on my list of 4. Only after the 4 are done do I create my next list of 4. So far this has really born results! Sometimes I stall out with one step to complete…. putting quick finishes on the list is so motivating! This is working great so far! I enjoy your blog, the projects, the book reviews, and recipes , and Archie! Thank you for sharing!
I like your blue project very much. Pomodoro means “golden apple” and surely that can be an incentive!
I like your blue project very much. Pomodoro means “golden apple” and surely that can be an incentive!
I like your blue project very much. Pomodoro means “golden apple” and surely that can be an incentive!
That technique sounds like it would work for anyone wanting a firm schedule. ⏲⏰ Happy sewing to everyone however you choose to do it!
That technique sounds like it would work for anyone wanting a firm schedule. ⏲⏰ Happy sewing to everyone however you choose to do it!
That technique sounds like it would work for anyone wanting a firm schedule. ⏲⏰ Happy sewing to everyone however you choose to do it!
That’s it, I will Pomodoro my way to the 4th wide border of my last quilt and to the “finish” line. Stalled over the holidays, I even have backing for this quilt already. Thanks for the nudge…
That’s it, I will Pomodoro my way to the 4th wide border of my last quilt and to the “finish” line. Stalled over the holidays, I even have backing for this quilt already. Thanks for the nudge…
That’s it, I will Pomodoro my way to the 4th wide border of my last quilt and to the “finish” line. Stalled over the holidays, I even have backing for this quilt already. Thanks for the nudge…
I also stitch my quilts together in Quarters rather than rows. Sometimes I am sewing the quarters together as I am still finishing the last 4-5 blocks together. Then one chore feeds off the other. Once I see how my quilt quarter looks, I buzz through the last few blocks. Sorry for the addendum, but I like quilt quarters so much I just had to add. Your quilts are beautiful Nicole, regardless of how you put them together.
I also stitch my quilts together in Quarters rather than rows. Sometimes I am sewing the quarters together as I am still finishing the last 4-5 blocks together. Then one chore feeds off the other. Once I see how my quilt quarter looks, I buzz through the last few blocks. Sorry for the addendum, but I like quilt quarters so much I just had to add. Your quilts are beautiful Nicole, regardless of how you put them together.
I also stitch my quilts together in Quarters rather than rows. Sometimes I am sewing the quarters together as I am still finishing the last 4-5 blocks together. Then one chore feeds off the other. Once I see how my quilt quarter looks, I buzz through the last few blocks. Sorry for the addendum, but I like quilt quarters so much I just had to add. Your quilts are beautiful Nicole, regardless of how you put them together.
omg! that is gorgeous. I hate sewing sashes and borders but I like sewing the blocks together. I get excited about sewing the quilt top and rush to sew the rows together.
This rushing can be my downfall. I sewed a ginormous applique quilt together 2 weeks ago so that I could measure for the dreaded border only to find I had one block flipped 45 degrees in.the.wrong.direction. ugh. I hate unsewing.
omg! that is gorgeous. I hate sewing sashes and borders but I like sewing the blocks together. I get excited about sewing the quilt top and rush to sew the rows together.
This rushing can be my downfall. I sewed a ginormous applique quilt together 2 weeks ago so that I could measure for the dreaded border only to find I had one block flipped 45 degrees in.the.wrong.direction. ugh. I hate unsewing.
omg! that is gorgeous. I hate sewing sashes and borders but I like sewing the blocks together. I get excited about sewing the quilt top and rush to sew the rows together.
This rushing can be my downfall. I sewed a ginormous applique quilt together 2 weeks ago so that I could measure for the dreaded border only to find I had one block flipped 45 degrees in.the.wrong.direction. ugh. I hate unsewing.
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks they’re done when sewing blocks and then lingers on the assembly part. My problem is that is where I find my mistake and have to redo. You get so much done so am going to have to try your new timer method!
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks they’re done when sewing blocks and then lingers on the assembly part. My problem is that is where I find my mistake and have to redo. You get so much done so am going to have to try your new timer method!
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks they’re done when sewing blocks and then lingers on the assembly part. My problem is that is where I find my mistake and have to redo. You get so much done so am going to have to try your new timer method!
I actually did that today without knowing it was the Pomodoro Technique, although I did it for an hour. I, too, find sewing the blocks into rows and then the sashing and rows together rather tedious, but the borders are what really get me! I wish the quilting fairies would do the borders for me! Your quilt is beautiful!
I actually did that today without knowing it was the Pomodoro Technique, although I did it for an hour. I, too, find sewing the blocks into rows and then the sashing and rows together rather tedious, but the borders are what really get me! I wish the quilting fairies would do the borders for me! Your quilt is beautiful!
I actually did that today without knowing it was the Pomodoro Technique, although I did it for an hour. I, too, find sewing the blocks into rows and then the sashing and rows together rather tedious, but the borders are what really get me! I wish the quilting fairies would do the borders for me! Your quilt is beautiful!
I do this a lot and it does help me get things done that I normally procrastinate about. I just didn’t know it was an official technique with a name. Also, I usually stall out when it comes to adding the borders to a quilt top. Something about all of the measuring and crawling around on the floor might have somethng to do with it.
I do this a lot and it does help me get things done that I normally procrastinate about. I just didn’t know it was an official technique with a name. Also, I usually stall out when it comes to adding the borders to a quilt top. Something about all of the measuring and crawling around on the floor might have somethng to do with it.
I do this a lot and it does help me get things done that I normally procrastinate about. I just didn’t know it was an official technique with a name. Also, I usually stall out when it comes to adding the borders to a quilt top. Something about all of the measuring and crawling around on the floor might have somethng to do with it.
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who doesn’t like to sew on borders. I have a new timer that I can dedicate to this method. Now maybe I will get more quilts finished. Thank you for the idea.
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who doesn’t like to sew on borders. I have a new timer that I can dedicate to this method. Now maybe I will get more quilts finished. Thank you for the idea.
I am glad to know that I am not the only one who doesn’t like to sew on borders. I have a new timer that I can dedicate to this method. Now maybe I will get more quilts finished. Thank you for the idea.
thanks for sharing the pomodoro technique. I gave it a try and had a very productive day. And slept very well that night!
thanks for sharing the pomodoro technique. I gave it a try and had a very productive day. And slept very well that night!
thanks for sharing the pomodoro technique. I gave it a try and had a very productive day. And slept very well that night!