Let's Get Organized: Week 8 - Organizing Patterns

This week's homework is to sort through your collection of patterns/projects. Over time, patterns, like magazines, often sit forgotten and idle for years. Now it's time to review your collection (whether packaged or pages from magazines) and decide which pieces still speak to you. If so, set them a "keep" pile. Those that are no longer relevant, set in a "donate" or toss pile.

Once the sorting has been completed, decide which is the best way for you to keep patterns organized and within easy access.

(Photo from Chasing Cottons)

1. If your focus is to cut down on space to hold paper, scan patterns and store in files on your computer, or on a memory stick.

2. Label memory sticks by type of subject (Crafts, Quilts, Gifts, etc.). They are relatively inexpensive and can continually be updated as needed.

If you prefer to file printed patterns, here are several ideas that might work for you.

(Pattern filing sytem by FabricTherapy)

1. Fabric Therapy opts to place patterns in clear sheet protectors and file by topic in a file cabinet.

2. Place patterns in zip close clear sheet protectors and file by topic in a three ring binder. The zip helps keep everything in place, even if the notebook is accidentally dropped.

3.Une touche de Piment uses manila envelopes with pattern image pasted to the outside as her sorting method.

4. Heather at The Sewing Loft stores her patterns in clear snap closuer envelopes.

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Comments

#15 Annette 2018-06-12 09:26

I just started filing my patterns in my file cabinet. It is amazing what patterns I have that I have forgotten. Used to store pattern in magazine holders.

#14 Kathy Kelm 2018-06-11 14:08

I do what Sandy does, photocopying the front and back of a pattern and putting that page into a notebook by category: women's tops, kids, underwear, etc. The physical pattern goes into a cardboard box by number disregarding the pattern company unlike Sandy's system. It doesn't matter to me. Shopping through my notebook for women's pants, I will go to the box with that number range on the outside. It is quick work to retrieve the physical pattern I want to consider. They are all simply in numerical order. If a pattern from some indy designer lacks a number, I give it one. Likewise, a pattern for stuffed toys and a man's pajama pattern from different companies might share a number. One gets an A prefix, the second a B. This system keeps the bulky paper patterns stowed in deep, dark but dry space only until needed.

#13 Kathy Kelm 2018-06-11 14:00

I do what Sandy does, with one master notebook holding photocopies of the pattern envelopes organized like a Vogue pattern book in a fabric store. BUT, I have cardboard boxes with the patterns files by number, only. I don't bother to organize by pattern company. I search my pattern stash from the notebook, noting the pattern number, and grab the box with that number within. It is fast to retrieve and the pattern boxes go into deep dark but dry storage until needed. If a pattern is unnumbered, I give it one .

#12 Sandy 2016-03-01 13:54

I have lots of patterns I have collected over the years. I scan the front of a pattern envelope in b/w on one side and the back on the other side and put it in a page protector in a binder by styles. Then I organize a large storage container tall enough to stand the patterns up by pattern company numerically. I also made an index on a spreadsheet by company with the pattern in numerical order. That way I can easily check so I don't purchase a duplicate pattern. When I purchase a new pattern, I scan it, put it in my binder and add the number to my index. I love to look through the binder when deciding what to sew next with fabric I bought on impulse. And at times I have used one of my oldies.

#11 Sherry 2016-03-01 08:32

My quilting patterns are sorted by type: Scrappy, table runners, baby, quick and easy or whatever you choose. Then I use the cheap pocket folders sold for a dime each at back to school sales to sort the patterns. Each type gets a different color. They store on a shelf in with my books.

#10 Linda 2016-02-29 15:42

I too use 3-ring binders with the page protectors that are closed along the bottom edge and quite thin. These work great for patterns torn from magazines, any templates & quilting suggestions, as well as purchased patterns. To save space, I place 2 patterns with the quilt photos facing outwards front and back in each protector. My binders include: Kids & Men, Holidays, Small Quilted Projects, Scrap Quilts, Various Quilts and Quilting Tips & Instruction. I try to limit the number of patterns collected by removing several each time I flip through a binder or when adding any new ones - the "one in, one out" philosophy I also use for my clothes.

#9 Patti Jacson 2016-02-29 11:27

Is it ok to sell patterns you no longer want? I have a booth where I'm selling my "Over It" books and rulers and quilts I've made.

#8 Brenda F. 2016-02-29 10:32

I am an organization person. I have 3-ring binders for classes I've attended, by date, ASG Expo's classes, FitNice Patterns: all in page savers. Files on my computer for patterns I have downloaded, or my own handouts for the classes I've taught to quilt guilds or in my home. My quilt patterns are separate from my clothing patterns. Purchased patterns are organized by type and pattern number, are in two file cabinets. I have inventoried my threads, rulers, machine embroidery designs and the pdf files are in Dropbox so I can pull them up on my phone when shopping. Keeps me from duplicating my supplies. I have folded all my fabric the same and have it on Guerrilla shelving with archival foam core under the fabric to protect it from the wire shelving. A curtain protects the fabrics from dust and light. Being organized and labeling storage saves time so I have more time to create!

#7 Georgia Brown 2016-02-29 08:09

I keep my patterns in a three-ring binder with sheet protectors. I have one binder for embroidery projects and one for quilted projects. I also take a photo of my finished work to keep with the pattern and use large red marker to note any changes or hints such as stabilizers, needle size, block size alteration, or stitch length.

#6 Mary semlinger 2016-02-29 07:39

I store patterns as well as sample blocks in plastic page protectors in large ring binders. Easy to page thru.

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