I decided I didnt want to keep all the magazines, so I also use binders. I cut out the pattern and then file them by categories. For example, I have one binder for pieced quilts and sub-categories for bed quilts, baby quilts, wall quilts. Then other notebooks hold applique quilts, combination quilts, and other things like single blocks, or applique templates. I also have a section for finishing, and helpful hints. It works for me, but I had to make sure and mark the contents on the spine of the binder so I could find things easily.
Oh...I also have one category just with "inspiration" pictures. Sometimes the advertisements have beautiful quilts or fabrics pictured, and it sparks an idea, so I put that in the inspiration section. I also put pictures that I have taken at quilt shows in there.....with one section just for close ups of some of the FMQ that I have taken pics of....