I just punch mine and put them in 3-ring binders. I get the 1" size and put table runners in one, totes and bags in another, quilts in another, etc. Then I label them on the side so it shows on my bookshelf. I also have a binder that addresses various block techniques. You can buy those binders in bulk quite cheap. Then I can also take out the one I want to use instead of having the whole binder getting in the way.

I too use the sheet protectors.
I have many 3-ring binders filled with patterns that appealed to me - cut from magazines and downloaded.
Scrap Quilts is the largest, Easy & Charity, Jelly Rolls, Tips and Techniques, Batiks are a few of them.

When I put my multi-paged quilt patterns in the notebook I staple the RIGHT side of the papers, thus making them seem as one. That way, I take the papers out of the notebook to sue, and just flip backwards, so to speak.

Love your idea about printing them and having them bound.

I have mine sorted by kind (baby, runner, etc) and I have put them in the sheet protector sleeves so I can write on it and them be able to wipe it off or if I need to tape thing to it they will come off with out ripping.

I only print the ones that would not save or printed to make the pattern. I just bought a protable desktop 2TB hard drive for $80 (at Staples) and have now transfered all my sewing stuff to it. Now I can take my laptop computer and the hard drive to my sewing room and look up or look at any pattern I have and will not have to print any more unless I really need to. I am going to look into getting the new hand held slim scanner and scan the patterns in my magazines and put them in the HD also.

I also have more patterns than i will live long enough to complete. I use the plastic sheet protectors from walmart and a 3 ring binder (or two) and subject dividers to store them in. Works really well for me........

I have 4 large binders full all organized.
Do I use them? I havnt looked into them in over a year.
One binder is for information only not for making blocks or quilts.

I'm another one of those OTD (older than dirt)types when it comes to computers. Have mastered some simple things - can download quilt patterns I like - then save in a folder. The folder gets large and becomes a black hole - I know they are there, but wonder how to find the ones I want. Has anyone taken a file (copied to a disk) to a print shop to have it printed out? What would that cost? Would it be cheaper than printing them out at home? The cost of printer ink is so high that I tend to print out only the ones I think I will use right away. Would love to have them all printed out.

Thanks to all for the ideas about categorizing - will certainly use those ideas!

I just purchased 3-ring binders and the plastic sleeves to put the patterns inside. Then I am able to rearrange them as I need and remove them when I have used the pattern. It is less expensive in the long-run than having them bound.

I do this also. I love organization!

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