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I am known for buying the same pattern 2 and 3 times because I think it's so cute and don't remember that I have it, so I keep mine in a rubbermaid and keep a sheet (saved in excel) of the patterns that I have so when I go to the sales I don't come home with the same 3 again :)
Posted 45 months ago.
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I like the excel idea.
I use manilla envelopes, though my pattern storage is a joke. I have thrown so many away recently because they got crumpled. I prefer labeled manilla, kept in baskets. I do love Japanese pattern books for the ease of storage.
Posted 45 months ago.
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i keep mine on a A1size art case, that is not the best method since you cant organize all the patterns but it works for most patterns, i use envelopes (A4 and A3) for quilt/bib/small toys to keep those separate. when i buy patterns like simplicity i make copies or trace them and just keep the originals on a wooden box.
Posted 45 months ago.
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100% ditto what you said, Amy. Gallon size plastic bags with the pattern envelopes facing out so I can see them. Currently they're in magazine files. I want to sew a bin for them and then store them under the table.
Posted 45 months ago.
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Sadly, I seem to change my mind weekly on how best to store my patterns so they're kind of a mess. I do like the idea of a large zip lock bag because then I can see the pattern. I think I'll also put a picture on the bag, when it comes to my own designs. I think I'm also going to purchase a vintage sewing pattern box, just like the one my grandma use to have. Certainly, I have a lot to do to organize my patterns!
Posted 45 months ago.
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I don't do this, but how about photocopying the front and keeping those in a binder? Or maybe a binder with a bunch of those see-through sheet pockets that you could slide the pattern into? Then you could have a binder for kid's clothes, lady's clothes, etc?
Posted 45 months ago.
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I trace most of my patterns -- they're usually from US & Japanese craft books -- so most of the time I don't even have an envelope!
To keep the pieces together, I bought a pack of 14"x22" heavy poster board and sewed two together along the bottom and halfway up each side. I can get most pieces to slide in between the poster board without having to fold them, especially kid sizes. Then I label each folder with the name of the book and store them flat in the top drawer of my "Alex" rolly cart from Ikea.
Not perfect but better than bits of tracing paper floating everywhere!
Posted 45 months ago.
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I trace onto plastic, so mine are clipped to skirt hangers and hung in the wardrobe in my sewing room.
Posted 45 months ago.
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I do exactly what "Dina_the_M_and_O" suggested. I double side copy the pattern envelope and store the copy in a 3-ring binder. If I trace off a pattern, I put the tracing in a sheet protector. I have dividers for me, kids, crafts, home dec, etc. Soon, I will need to buy another 3-ring binder, but for now it is working nicely.
The original patterns are in a large rubbermaid bin in the garage.
Posted 45 months ago.
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I decided to start tracing my patterns too, once I found out Pellon makes something for that very purpose. It looks just like interfacing and folds up a lot neater than tissue paper.
For now, my patterns are in a couple of small boxes (and all over the table), since I don't have that many yet, but I was thinking of using filing folders and a small filing cabinet. Then I could store my knitting patterns out of sight too. I think the 3-ring binder idea would work great too.
Posted 45 months ago.
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I keep my patterns in a filing cabinet that came free from my husband's office. I modified it with cardboard and duct tape to have sections, each containing a different type of pattern (ie, tops, dresses, bottoms, etc.) I set myself a limit; I'm not allowed to have more patterns than fit in the drawer!
www.flickr.com/photos/lizziwhizz/2817750295/
Posted 45 months ago.
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Most of my patterns are traced from books, magazines or made up by me so no pattern case. I put the paper/tissue in A5 white envelopes and write the name of the pattern and which book/magazine issue it came from on the front. And I sketch a little picture of whatever it is too. It's still a bit jumbled up though. ;-)
On this blog she has a great idea of sticking a picture of the book on the front of the envelopes. turkeyfeathers.typepad.com/turkey_feathers/page/3/
Posted 45 months ago.
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LOL..I just tidied up my workroom, & decided to move things around to see if would be easier in storage. I had my patterns in a 40L bin, however I kept piling stuff on top of the box, which made it hard to look at patterns. Decided to empty 3 bookshelves, 2 shelves are used to store unused fabric bolts until washed, & the bottom drawer I used for the patterns in order of style. I placed each style eg dresses in a shoe box to stand up. Seems that I can now flick through each section without everything falling. See how that goes. I also store self made patterns in large ziplock bags.
Posted 45 months ago.
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great tips! thanks!
Posted 45 months ago.
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I don't have a lot of purchased patterns, so they're in a jumble. At the moment some of them are sliding off a chair seat in my dining room, where I sew, and where I hope to tackle a sundress pattern this weekend. These tips have inspired me to do something! I might follow the ziplock baggie in a bin method. Unless I use binder and sleeves, as I do for all the freebie craft patterns I've downloaded from the internet. I staple pages together in the corner, then each pattern goes into a plastic sleeve protector (got a box of 100 at OfficeMax) and into a fat 3-ring binder. One-page patterns are paired back-to-back in one sleeve, so there's a pattern on each side. Maybe I'll get another binder, and use it for dress patterns.
Posted 45 months ago.
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I got this tip from an eBay seller when they sent me a purchased pattern - I use the Silver sized comic book bags and their acid-free backing boards. I store them in a square Ikea basket though a filing cabinet or other type of box would work fine.
For the patterns I download from the Internet, I put them in a binder and use plastic sleeves. For each pattern. It is easy for me to flip through them in this manner.
You can kind of see the patterns at the bottom of my craft cabinet here:
sassypriscilla.typepad.com/sassy_priscillas_craft/2007/06...
Posted 45 months ago.
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I use the 'Magazine' size bags & backers from comic shops. These can hold large Vogue patterns. There's leftover room in each bag to store an altered pattern copy in with the original.
Posted 45 months ago.
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oh comic book storage bags!! great tip!!!!
Posted 45 months ago.
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I have WAY too many patterns in all categories. I bought pattern storage boxes and bags from Nancy's (online). The boxes are the old-style cardboard boxes that hold up to 50 patterns, and the bags are clear plastic, sized for patterns, with a pocket in front for the envelope.
Posted 45 months ago.
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I use a lot of international patterns. I keep my traced patterns in manila envelopes.
Posted 45 months ago.
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Here's what I do:
flickr.com/photos/reedlepageandrews/sets/72157605183297451/
I love the zip-top file folders,so I have switched from ziplock gallon bags, to those. A little bit sturdier - they allow for my continual open/close/open/close issue! I keep the books to which these patterns correspondond a bookshelf nearby. I need to do a better job of storing the patterns I draft myself, because I'm constantly fiddling with them.
Posted 45 months ago.
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We own a bicycle shop and we have the "office" filing cabinet here. It happens to be right next to my sewing desk so, I got lucky and I just gave myself an empty draw and put em all in file folders there.
Posted 45 months ago.
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i use the 3-ring binder clear plastic page protector 'envelope' type things.. i have my binder sectioned off into each seperate project, with the printed instructions.. and then i cut the pattern pieces and keep them in the plastic page protector along with each corresponding project... the tabs on the side make everything easy to find!
Posted 44 months ago.
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