If I need instructions, I print them out and make a folder. I tried a binder for projects, but it fell by the wayside. I have not repeated quilts, but "plan to someday", except for the kaleidoscope quilt that I designed. I thought I knew what I was doing without a drawing, but when I finally committed it to graph paper, the quilt was not square! Much better when square...
Now, when cooking, I say this all the time. I tell my family to enjoy it because it was improvised, and I can't remember all steps.