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I download patterns too. After I seperate them as to type I put the sheets in the protective sleeves and all the sheets for each pattern can go into 1 sleeve. They are then put into a notebook and each type can be sorted with the dividers with the subject tabs. This way I can take only the pattern I need and rest stay safely in notebook. :thumbup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zhillslady

instead of having ring bound get the plastic sheet dividers. I use those and that way all the pages go in one sheet protector. If the pattern is just one page I put 2 in there each facing outward so I see the other when I turn the page. After that I make a table in MSWord and the first column is a small pic of the pattern and the second column tells me material list and 3rd is what page in binder. This worked for me for years - now I keep all on a flash drive. One folder is just a picture of each I can scroll thru without waiting on files to open and the other is the actual pattern. Saves so much paper.

Yes I did this also and it works very well. However along with downloaded patterns I have lots of those real flat pattern books, you know the kind that are more pamphlet than book...I put them is plastic sheet protectors and put them in a ring binder with a list of what is inside on the cover. That way if I am looking for a particular item I can just scan the list to see if it is in there or I can peruse the contents if I am looking for ideas. I did this because these flatter books, while they have the same dimensions as a larger hard cover, get lost in the book case. Now my thicker volumes sit happy and I can read their spines while my thin ones have their own binders. And yes to answer you questions....I do have that many just sewing and quilting books, two full size bookcases crammed full, and don't even ask about my other... fabric dying, anthropology, clip art, biography, fantasy, (her voice fades softly away as she checks her other book cases and ceases entirely when she pulls one from the stack and begins to read it.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by runninL8

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!

Hey, OTD!!!!! I print mine out. I only print what I want. Not what I think I might use. There's the answer. I don't download any patterns (learned that from a horrific virus and lost absolutely everything and I do mean everything. So usually I will go to Quilter's Cache and if I can't find exactly what I want, but possibly know the name of it or reasonable facsimile thereof, I google!!!!! I find what I want, print it up, staple it punch the holes in it and put it alphabetically in my notebook (three ring) (thick)! I already have done that with my next quilt. I have all the blocks printed, in a plastic bag, individually, marked with a sticky tab and when I am done with what I am doing now, I will find the fabric I want to use for each block (sampler) and cut it out, put it in the bag, set it aside and each one I finish, I put into the notebook for future use (like I said before, I date the pattern, who it was going to and the colors I used). Easy peasy.

Good luck to thems that are trying to figure out what to do. You all are right in how YOU do it. We're just here to let you know what we do and maybe it'll work! It does for me! I've learned an awful lot from all of you. Edie

I bought a 3 ring whole punch and binders and did them myself with tab dividers.

you can buy binders at Salvation Army very reasonable. I use the plastic sheets and keep the whole pattern together.
Sorted by subject. Star Quilts, Baby Quilts--cute animal quilts go in the baby quilts. Sewing projects like nmug rugs, pincushions, tote bags. Scrappy quilts

I would arrange by the unit shape ie: squares, diamonds, rectangles, hexies, triangles, etc, then I would organize those by size of quilt.

I don't want to tell you how many binders and folders I have....
let's just say I won't live long enough to do then. But I like to go through them and look at them.

Lynn :roll:

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanaCsews2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zhillslady

I am a computer illiterate. I think I know what the flash drive is but how do you put the files on them. Does this take them off the computer and save space. I do use a binder dividers, and paper protectors, but they really aren't well organized. I did do a separate binder for charity things.

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 use a 3 ring binder with plastic sleeves, each quilt pattern goes into one sleeve. I keep mine prioritized by placing the one I want to start next on the first page, which means that as I go further back in the book, the less likely I am to start that project. And if the ones on top for some reason dont get started first, I still have a good handle on the ones I most want to do.:)

I used to be more organized till I started quilting & ran out of time for some things like downloaded patterns & blocks! I have a few very full folders of patterns, templates, finished projects, and BOM's that need to be put into a binder with dividers for 'types'. And, then I have similar files on my computer that haven't even been printed. On the computer they are easy to find but could be categorized too.
Thanks for all the good ideas! A nice rainy day project....