I use the file folder w/filp top & string (expandable - med or lg size), for patterns. New, copyed, etc. It is not so big, so I can take in the car when I'm shopping and if I see a pattern I feel I must have. I can pull the pattern leave with sales person and run out to the car and look to see if I have it. Now I don't get the same one over again (It used to happen ALL the time)