Applique, strip piecing, pieced, holidays, etc...

I am trying to learn not to print out patterns until I'm ready to get fabric together to do the project. I probably only do one pattern for every 100 patterns I have downloaded. Waste of paper. I have them on the drive, but also burned to disk and on a thumb drive.

However, I don't always follow my own advice. I have several booklets for each craft, so this was just a learned experience. I use 3 ring books and sheet protectors for patterns, but have had the print shop make books for techniques (bias binding, 8 HSTs at a time, etc.).

Sort by topic that inspires you. My current sort is:

Easy - a quilt top that can be done in a hurry or doesn't require any brain power.
Holiday - good for themed feature fabric be it Halloween or North Woods novelties.
Novelties - Jar quilts, eye spy, that sort that uses many novelty fabrics
Time Intensive - Not necessarily expert, but each block may take an hour or more
Applique - Love them. Don't do very often though
Fusible Applique - quilts that must be fused as part of pattern.
Fabric Focus - Things like fabric panels. The Sidelights pattern is an example, but I have a lot of patterns that feature Asian fabrics
Technique - a technique I would like to try.

I do other kinds of sewing and have a separate book for that, which includes such things as potholders and bags.

i have 3 ring binders with patterns sorted by---
table runners/placemats,home decor
bed size quilts- pieced
appliques
block patterns
bom's

so right now i have 5 binders of downloaded patterns or loose patterns (i use plastic sleeves you can put patterns into then add to the binder bought at the office supply in boxes of 100) to hold patterns from other places- the down loaded ones i print on printer paper that has 3 holes already.
so i would say- divide yours into what makes sense to you=
the binders were very inexpensive- the 3-ring printer paper isn't any more expensive than regular printer paper- the the plastic sleeves were under $10 ... sure made mine easier to find what i'm looking for :)

I did mine Category too such as Holidays, Children, etc.....

Exactly what I do. Works great! My son got me into using the flash drive after finding all my files in WORD and wondering why I kept them in one place. Reminded me what happens if the computer crashes! I still keep the ring binder and sheet protectors tho as I print off the pattern that I will be using. I make sure the pages don't go over 4 sheets, and if they do, I will copy 4 pages, then flip the papers and copy the rest of it onto the backs of the sheets. I personally find it easier to have the paper in front of me when perusing the pattern.

I do this too. I put them in catagories (Baby Quilts, Stars, Log Cabin etc.) I put them in a 3 ring binder and put the papers in sheet protectors. :)

Wish I could be as organised as all of you ha ha

I alphabetize the block names. You can take them to Kinko and they can bind it for you quite inexpensively. I, however, have three-three ring note books, have the outside labeled A-K, etc and can go from there. I like the binder because I can take the pattern out of the binder, put it in a gallon size plastic bag along with the fabric I will be using. I use 12" blocks myself. I like the size for quilts. I have made table runners with 12" blocks.

I am OTD (older than dirt) and the easier for me to keep track of things, the better off I am. Sometimes, I just page through the binders and think. (Dangerous in my case, but it does put a little mark in my mind of what I could do next time around). I mark each pattern with the date, who the block was for, what colors I used. Most of the ones I have already tried, and so they are "tried and true" and have no reservations about using the pattern again - if it ain't broke don't fix it!!!!!! I like the way they turn out and I love samplers. Edie

I also use the plastic sleeves in ring binders and have sectioned off by types, kids, adults, runners, purses, etc. Works for me and can add and delete easily.

mine are sorted by what they are, applique, scrappy, stars, log cabins, mini, holidays, etc. I have mine in protective sleeves in binders. that way I can just take out the project I want to make - as I get them done, they go into a binder called completed projects. if I ever want ot make that particular project again I don't have to worry about what book or magazine it came from.