Besides the binders I also made a list on Excel of all the patterns I have. I can do a "find" if I know the name and there is the pattern and what book it is in and what page. This also keeps me from duplicating.

I've used this notebook/plastic sleeve system for years. In fact, I recall saving articles for decades in file folders when there was no internet!

Categories range from log cabin/strips; circles/arcs; applique; machine quilting; 1930's era; Civil War/ 1800's; various artists; etc.

Terry Atkinson, Judy Martin, Barbara Brackman, and Mary Ellen Hopkins are my favorite designers/teachers so they rate separate notebooks.

My tastes change, but so many sources are available in books, on boards, on the internet that I have no fear of passing -almost complete- magazines to my friends. I look for inspiration and ususally plan out my own pattern. Part of what I want to do is the challenge and satisfaction of drafting my own pattern.

Thanks for posting :)

Great idea! I hate to throw them out or cut into them also thinking my tastes might change and I might want one of the other patterns :(

I started doing that last year, and I still have about 50 magazines to look through.

Folders and sub-folders. Only way I can keep some kind of track. I even put size of quilt in name of quilt(no " signs just 52x52-or whatever) so I don't have to open and close too many files when looking for something.

I've been doing the same thing for years and have accumulated five 3-inch binders worth of patterns and articles. But, I've started decluttering. For the last two nights I've culled through two binders and tossed out patterns which are very basic (collected at the start of my quilting journey) or that no longer hold my interest. It's amazing how my "likes" have changed over the years. Only three more binders to go! :lol:

each year just before quilt show time, I go through my magazines, sewing or quilting, and take them to sell for 50 to 75 cents . this helps our fund raiser for our comunity projects.

d.swindle

I save them the same way!

I do that too.

I started to do this a few years ago and as I was looking thru much older mags I found that what I wasn't interested in then I was now and vice versa, so I gave up. Now I have hundreds and I will really have to do something because we are planning on selling the big house and downsizing. I have a BIG problem!!! LOL
Happy sorting, Kutnso