arranging printed quilt patterns
 

When I was going through some things the other day, I found tons of printed quilt patterns. I plan to buy a notebook to arrange then in so that I can flip through and find the ones I want pretty easily. Does anyone have a better way to store these patterns for later use?

I find binders take up too much room. If you have the room, they will work great for you. Otherwise, I use file folders and file by type. Store them in regular file cabinets.

I put mine in a binder using the "sheet protectors" I get cheaper at Walmart (in the office supply section).

I do the same thing with my quilt patterns that I used to do with beading patterns. I use dividers to separate patterns into catagories such as baby quilts, wall hangings, star patterns, looks easy, looks hard-maybe someday, etc.

Cari

This is how I do mine also.

I do this too. I have 4 of the binders filled and still print more patterns. I have to print them out when I see them, otherwise if I save them on my computer, I can't find them again.

I also save mine in binders with sheet protectors. If I find something in a magazine that I really want to make will make copies and put them in the binders. Once I finish making the project will put them in a different binder of finished items. That way I can find them faster by doing it this way. Use divider pages for the different types of projects i.e baby quilts, table runners, table toppers, bed size and lap throws. Makes it so much easier for me to find.

i have some binders too but need to go through them once a year when my tastes change and toss what no longer interests me.

Like many of you, I keep them in binders with page protectors that I get at Walmart. I go through them once in awhile and throw out the ones that don't interest me any more. I also print the ones that interest me since I can never find them again. We must be related.lol
Sue

For printed patterns, I also use a binder with the sheet protectors and divided into categories: baby, bargello, stars, etc.
For those on the Internet I save in a folder, as well. The main heading is "quilting". These are also sub-divided into other folders in the same way: blocks of the month (by year), kitchen (with its sub-divisions: pot holders, table runners), etc.
I have far more saved than I will ever complete in my lifetime, and when they are saved on the computer, no printing is required.

This is how I save mine at the present time. My daughter game me a laminating machine and supplies for Christmas, and I'm wondering if they would take up less space in a binder. Seems like they would.

First I sort them out and decide what the name of the file folder would be. I then scan all the patterns and put them in the named file folder on my computer. I the back up everything on an external drive. This way it keeps everything together and I have more room in my quilting room. When I want a certain pattern I just print it.

For the internet patterns, I use the clear vinyl report sheet covers that have the plastic spines that slide down one side. That way I can see the picture of the quilt without opening a binder. Then I stand those up in a shoebox sized plastic container along with bought patterns. You can get these at Walmart and maybe the dollar store. Very cheap and convenient.

I save mine in the sheet protectors also, but I had a hard time trying to find a specific pattern when I wanted it. I then got the bright idea to use a lined sheet, and wrote the names of the patterns on it, and slid that sheet under the plastic front cover. This not only helped to tell me which binder it is in, but if I remove a pattern, it tells me where to put it back. When I did this, I found that there were some patterns that I had liked so well that there were 2 or 3 of the same patterns, lol.

If its pattern downloaded from the internet, I same them in my documents. I also save picture of quilt that I like that I might consider making (if I think I can figure it our without a pattern). I put these items in a folder labeled bucket list and can always be found in My picture. I hardly ever print out anything until I'm ready to cut fabric, don't need any other papers to try to keep up with.

I used to have mine in binders till I had a water leak. Destroyed most of them as they were sitting on top of the bookcase where the water leak occurred. Now I have all my books and paper patterns (if copied from PC and placed into plastic sleeves) in my filing cabinet. I organized them by type of patterns such as "logcabins", paper-pieced" and then by designer if I have a bunch from one particular one.

I have some in a 3" binder of blocks I'm working on. Like Hunter's Star and Drunkard's Path. Couple cat patterns. Patterns that are in a few of my books and magazines are noted in the binder. Other's are on a bucket list on my PC under favorites. Paper piecing section is also in the binder.

I scan them into my computer. but I also have printed some for a binder.

Pattern saving out of control
 

My pattern saving has gotten so out of control that I gave up trying to organizing them into notebooks. I have the same prob with purchased patterns & pattern books. I finally tried tossing out some printed patterns I now have no interest in but found myself taking some back out of the wastebasket. How pathetic is that!
I want to try to sell the purchased ones & books but now I'm concerned about all of this copyright chat.
I tell my sons they'd better hope I never die because they'll have quite a job. My oldest son says "it's just stuff. We can make it go away". Keep your eyes open for the closest thrift store. LOL

Hubby got me four new binders and dividers to fill. I don't put a protector on every one. But, if I am using one, I will use a protector on it while it is out. I do use a protector if there are lose pieces that need to stay with the pattern.
And, I do separate out the ones I have paid for as a download. I feel these are in need of extra special attention to have their own binder. I love patterns!

I was using binders and sheet protectors. It's a nice way to be able to browse the patterns, easier than using file folders, although the smaller patterns in bags, I have in drawers with sewing patterns. Those are a little thicker, so I didn't feel that they would fit nicely in the binders. But then I got pattern overload, so I started scanning patterns or downloading them as PDFs. It's easy to page through those on the computer. I have a hard time finding things by file name, though.

I love using binders w/ plastic sheet protectors and I label each one with the type of patterns in them. Scrappy, applique, mini, baby, wall hangings, seasonal, etc. Just looking through them is inspirational and they are right at hand. Sorry but I haven't opened my filing cabinet in years, even though I know there are some great things in there. Out of sight, out of mind. keep them where you can see and use them. Magazine projects are included in this type of system too.
You have to find what works for you.

I agree about doing the scanning too, for me it is just to time consuming to search every file, cause some times you just don't know what it is. When the pattern is right in front of you, you know what it is. Simple is best for me.
peace

I buy my sheet protectors on line, much cheaper and check out the thrift stores for binders. Founds some the other day and got them for all you could put in a bag for $1. I got six 3" ones for $1.00. I too keep my separated by binders labeled such as "scrappy", "jelly roll" etc.

I also use the binder method, with separate binders for quilts, bags, and "other things." I use sheet protectors for the half sized patterns, and magazine holders for the larger book type patterns. When my binders get overloaded, I look through for patterns I know I 'll never use, and donate them to my quilting group.

I too put my patterns in sheet protectors and then in binders. My binders are marked for children's patterns, table runners, basic quilt patterns, purse/bag, applique, and 1930's patterns. My book shelf sits beneath the cutting table.

I save mine on the computer. They are in files under my large quilting folder. I save a tree and ink. I love patterns and know I will never ever do all of them but I can look at them at any time.

I have a cardboard box just the right size to store them in. I can just flip through them like going through a file. (Stand them on end). Not very fancy but woriks for me.

I put the pattern in aa page protector and store them in a plastic filing container organized by whether it is for a quilt, runner etc

I save my patterns in binders ( BOM, paper piecing etc. ) but I also have a file on the computer where I keep patterns . I have separate folders for - scrappies , stars, paper-piecing , pictures etc.
I keep some for inspiration. :) I have so many things saved I'll never do them all. I sometimes like to revisit what I have, I probably should delete some.

I have limited shelf space in my small sewing room so my solution was to purchase a portable file box (approx. $15) and the hanging folders. I have folders for Christmas, Baby, Fall, Tablerunners, wall hangings, etc. I can then store the box without using up my shelf space. The box can easily be carried anywhere when needed. Works much better forme than the binders I was using.

I do the same as you, but I did not think to put the ones I made in a different binder. Great idea! Thanks for this tip.

This is just what I do, Keep the ones I like in binders with sheet protecters in alphabetic order. I also keep misc projects in a different binder. Finished projects- photo then put in a different binder of completed Patterns. I also have several photo pics I look at, then I can go find pattern that match. This works for me.

Put mine in a folder(s) I do charity quilts and like to experiment using these patterns. If they are fast I keep

I am a binder/page protector person, too. However, I sort my patterns by technique: applique, paper piecing, quilting patterns, etc. I also keep a "table of contents" listing each pattern by name and type (star, log cabin, etc.) so I can find what I want more quickly.

My guild has a yard sale coming up, so I'll probably weed out those patterns that I probably will not get around to using.