I have found a way to "index" my magazines so I can store the actual magazines in an out-of-the-way place, but still know what is in them.
I copy the cover picture with the issue and date of the magazine, and then copy the index pages that show pictures of the various quilts featured. These copies go in a month-by-month looseleaf. I only have to save 3-4 pages for each issue, but I can go directly to any pattern I want to look up.
i don't really want to get rid of the magazines, because when my grandchildren get married, I give them the stack and let them pick the quilt they'd like me to make.
Works great; saves lots of valuable space!