I like your color idea. I always have trouble with colors.

Same here...

If you intend to keep all those magazines, you could print the index for each year and mark the ones in which you are interested directly in the index. Or, you could copy the pertinent info for those articles from each index to a "favorites" document.

Index for 1969-1994 (Issues 1-269) in single PDF file
Index for 1995-2009 separate files
http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/ar..._QN_Newsletter

< corrected to show only one URL>

I download patterns from the web and put them in indexed binders. Have 4 large binders full.
Just cannot cut up mags. I have them by name and date in mag holders on a book shelf. Never have made a quilt from one but love to get new ones in mail. Eye candy.
Tried making a list of the quilts to make in a notebook but my tastes change so now if Im looking for a pattern I just pull out mags and its like a new mag all over again.

Same here!

I scan whatever patterns i want to keep and store them digitally. With space being at a premium, this works better for me.Magazines i don't want go to local library for others to enjoy.If i need a certain pattern i can always print it out.

I keep mine in a 3 ring binder also and move the pattern to the back of the section when I complete the quilt. Only problem is I keep putting new ones in and don't move pages to the back at the same rate!

Hello, I go through the books and jot down the pictures I like and the book name and page and date of book, then I made an excell spreadsheet logging in all the information. so if I wanted that barn quilt picture I go to barns on my excell sheet and it tells me which book it is in. Then I have the books in alphabetical order. sounds like a lot of work but is was fun going through all the books. (sometimes you see things you did not like before. I even gave some away. good luck.

I use a combination of binders, plastic sleeves and the computer. I scan the magazine patterns I want to keep and just print out one if I want to use it. (I have an external backup system so I won't lose any.) This saves space and I can separate patterns into files. One other thing I use is a box that will hold patterns that come in envelopes (eg. McCall's). The box is just the right width. I have covered it with some wall paper I had so that it looks nice in the sewing room I am in the process of setting up.

I can't cut up the magazines -- I always seem to forget something. I use the flags for specific patterns that I like. If I don't have anything marked in a magazine, they go to DD who passes those she does not want to a friend.

I have tried to keep the magazines organized, and I like your ideas. Unfortunately, when I look for a pattern I can't remember which magazine I found them in so I go through every one until I find it. Need to figure out a better system.

I do use binders for the EQ patterns or patterns/blocks I print off the internet. I have one binder for ideas and one for patterns that I have made.