I keep a photo album with a picture of each one I also keep a 3 ring binder with the pattern or instructions. So I guess I do... But I don't name them but I guess I should. grace.

I also keep a quilt journal of all my favorites with pics and all the info you mentioned. I also keep a photo album in my Photoshop Elements that I call Geri's Creations where I keep pictures of everything I make.

Last year I started trying to keep a copy of the design (whether from EQ or a book or magazine) and a picture of my version, plus when it was made and who it was for. I got most of them. I forgot pictures of a few! I'm going to do the same this year.

Donna

I sure do. I have a template in MS Word that I use for each page, inserting a photo of the quilt in the frame I have set up in template. I print it on heavy paper and punch 3 holes for my binder. I turn it over and run a picture of the back or a detail on back of same page if appropriate. I glue pieces of fabric to back. I know - I have an organized streak at times. But, I go sit down with a martini till it passes if it gets out of hand.

But, I don't name them so all is not lost. I think it is important to photograph them before giving any away as gifts. I am honest about mistakes and lessons learned since I consider this a personal diary and not to be read at guild meetings.
Linda

I don't keep a "journal" per se, but I do keep a scrapbook with pics and fabric scraps. I should probably go back and write at least a rough date and the recipient of the quilt. I don't name quilts either, other than "Gretchen's baby quilt" or whatever.

I keep a journal of all the quilts I do on my quilting system. I don't name them but do make notes on how many bobbins I used, the quilting pattern, size of quilt and any other identifying information. I am now ready to quilt number 70 on my frame.
Linda OH

I just have a spread sheet on Excel in which I identify the quilt, name the year I made it, and tell where it went (i.e. gift, charity or otherwise). Since I've been using a digital camera, I also have a visual record on "Photobucket. Unfortunately, before that I didn't keep pictures.

I don't keep a journal but to have a scrap book with pictures of all the things I made. I have more then my quilts in it though. I do heirloom sewing and have other items that I have made in there also. I have started putting my pictures onto CD's. I am giving some thought to doing more in the way of a journal. Jayne

I have a photo alblum of all my quilted items but I have not kept a journal. I received a quilter's notebook that would work find for a journal but I don't know how faithful I would be to write in it every time I worked on a project. I like the idea of keeping swatches of the fabrics as pictures don't always do justice.
Jean

I photograph them now (since finding the quilting forum and being bit by the bug), keeping the pictures along with the name of the person the quilt was made for, if a gift, but I don't make note of the dates. I should do that. I often make an extra print of a quilt and use it as a bookmark. That way I enjoy them many times over.

I don't keep a journal - never been good at that. I do keep a photo album (online at the moment, but eventually to be turned to hard copy) with pictures of the top, close-ups to see the fabric, quilting, backing fabric, and label. I always name my quilts, and the label contains the quilt's name, "handmade by me," month/year, pattern and by whom (if applicable), and the recipient's name (sometimes).

Another thought...

Several years ago a quilting friend and her husband were robbed. She had 10 quilts stolen. She had kept a detailed journal including pictures, pattern, approximately how long it took to make, batting and fabric type and manufacturer etc. She showed her journal to the ins. company and ask for a quilt appraiser to be brought in. She was rewarded for her efforts. She now gives her quilts away when she has several made. Her recommendation is to store quilts on a spare bed, under the bedspread where they are less visible.

Janice

I kept photos of most of mine. I don't usually name the quilts,except the name that came with the pattern.However, the last one I did was purple and started out as a lap quilt.I kept adding blocks and soon began to think of it as 'The Purple Monster'. I have a dog-eared sheet of paper that I once divided into sections. I write in some details about each quilt.(date started,who received it,size, where I got pattern,etc.).I really need to use something better-maybe in the near future, I'll organize things a bit better.
~Geraldine

I started keeping a quilt journal of my quilts with the first one in 1990. It is good to be able to look back and see that I have done lots more than it sometimes seems. And since most are given away, it is nice to be able to see them again. One of my friends has a journal more like a diary that we would all write something in when we went on a retreat, but she got complaints from some about having to think up something to write so she gave that up.

I don't.

I do keep photos online and on a flash drive. I rarely print any of them.

I don't name my quilts, and in fact, (horrors!!) I very rarely label them. This documentation seems to keep me from the next project, LOL.

I will never keep a full "quilt journal" - I know myself too well to commit to something like that. But I should at least keep a file with photo, finished size, and quilt pattern. That could be done in Word, and stored on the flash drive.

I see no point in saving fabric scraps. If the quilt needs repair, it's almost certain the fabric will no longer be available. The quilt will likely be faded, so any repair should match the faded condition of the fabric.

I really donÂt mean to sound snarky, and I understand most wonÂt agree with me, but it strikes me as "chore clutter", LOL. IÂd have to DO it to start with, and then IÂd have to STORE it. I already live with a packrat DH, and his clutter is enough to make me pull my hair out.

My DH is also always after me to print out family photos and make scrapbooks with the fancy pages, captions, and all of that. I finally blew up and said "I hate doing that stuff!! If you want it, do it yourself!"

So to each her own. My family knows better than to buy me "projects" for gifts. I"ll choose my own.

Anitastitch ~ the journal that you've described sounds like the one a friend gave me a few year ago as a birthday present. I use it but have not updated it recently.

Marty

Hi All,

I kept a plant journal for a while (have over 120) plants, but that became a burdensome chore after a while.

So I didn't think to keep a quilt journal, but I have photos of all my work.

I'm a self-taught quilter who started quilting as a form of self-expression (I was a textile designer who had to quit the biz when the industry collapsed 25 yrs. ago). I just needed a form of textiles to play w/ & could no longer batik for enjoyment 'cause most of the places I live are white & I rent apmts, don't own my home. Can't be getting dye stains on things which was never an issue at my parents home for me (I had an improvised batik/dye studio next to my Mom's weaving/etching studio).

I haven't given away many quilts so I have them hung all over my apmt. But I hope to start selling this year & really need to keep some better records. I also received my first commision last yr, I defferred to this yr, as I was too busy & backed up w/ UFOs.

I've named them all just to be able to keep track of the photos. When I did work from existing patterns like magazines share, I just keep the magazine aside, having dog-earned the corner.

In more recent times I've tried to compile a list of each of the multiple lessons I've learned from each quilt (maybe for a book someday?), 'cause on each quilt I try to include a couple of new techniques, tricks, etc.

But now that I'm making original art quilts, I'll have to have better photos, quilts listed by name, dimensions & maybe a couple of comments abt particular techniques, or articulating the 'uniqueness of each'.

I may compile a book of photos & corresponding swatches in case I wish to use them as items to show as examples when discussing new commissions.

An aside: to the poster above whose retreat buddies kept a journal but stopped 'cause someomne didn't like having to think of something to write. Yikes, what a selfish person, I would have guessed she might have just opted out of writing something herself, no? If the rest of the group enjoyed it, they should resume & just skip the person unwilling to think/write!?

I happen to agree w/ Mary C (I think) abt it becoming chore/ project-like (cumbersome to me, one more thing to keep track of remembering to do).