Quitling Magazines
 

I have hundreds of quilting magazines, when I want to start a new project I don't know where to start looking!
How do you store and find patterns in magazines?
Do you rip them out and file them in groups ie: Table runners, lap quilts, etc.
I just don't know what to do and seem to spend hours looking to find the pattern I want

I've started only getting them digitally now days. The ones I have stacked up from years of saving them are slowly getting scanned and saved as a PDF file. I have a bunch that are scanned, and a fair amount to still use. My iPad has a scanning app that works fantastic, is quick and easy, and when it is done, sends it to my regular computer. I use to use a flat bed scanner. It worked ok, but was slower and required more work than the iPad app.

Good Luck,

Steve

I got a package of the large mailing labels. (3" X 4"). If I see something I really like, I stick one on the front cover and write a quick description and the page number. If I don't see anything that strikes me, I pass the magazine on to a friend.

I tear out what I like. I buy the see through notebook inserts, slip them in the plastic insert, and put them in large spiral ring notebooks. You could have a notebook for runners, one for quilts, wall hangings etc. I've found the large business notebooks at sales for 50 cents each.

I just put the different quilt patterns into the computer. I have a few old quilt books and couple magazines. I've got a lot in my favorites folder. So I can look at a quick glance. Download a few patterns and can print or send for friends. I have a file for log cabins, glacier stars, different celtic stars and baby and dwr and so forth. Bargello and soforth. I can't stand the piles of magazines any more drove me crazy and just added to little eight legged critters and such. I add the different YOU TUBE tutorials also. Just too quick and easier by far.

thanks for the ipad tip.

I do the same thing but I use a Post a Note. Thin down your magazines or just keep the ones with quilts you want to make separate from the others. Hope you are able to find something that works for you.

Well I'm one of those that can't throw anything away. When I find a quilt/project that appeals to me I mark the page with a post-it-note. When going thru my older magazines I find that my tastes have changed thru the years and a project that previously had no appeal now is a must make.

I make kits of the patterns I want to make and put the magazine in with the kit. Sometimes I copy the pattern pages and put them in with the kit in clear plastic page covers. It's fun to just pick out a kit and everything is all together to make the quilt. I put them in gift bags and store them in my studio closet. I do not include the backing. It gets chosen when the quilt is completed. I must say that I do still have a stack of quilt magazines in that closet too. I like to get them out sometimes and look through them. I don't subscribe to the magazines anymore. The only quilting magazine I buy now is the Quilting Quickly that comes out quarterly. It includes all those precut patterns that are so quick and easy to do.

I have lots of quilting mags too and haven't looked at them for years. They are old and some are hard to adapt to the new ways. I have lots of quilting books also. Seems I always come up with different ones to make.

I have years of quilting magazines also. I go thru them once in a while, and find new things to make. When I see a quilt I would like to make, I write down the magazine name, month, year and page as well as name and description of quilt (storm at sea, 4 patch, colors, etc) in my $1 store notebook. I can easily find the magazines that have the quilts I was interested in and browse them for the right one. It is comical to see these "modern" "new" ideas in magazines from 15-20+ years ago. Everything old IS new again!

I do not photocopy patterns because Of copyright issues. I own about 20 magazines and 20 books. I have cut myself off from buying more. I have the magazines all stored in one 5 inch binder with three ring magazine holders for them. I open the magazine to my favorite pattern and put it in the insert there so I can flip quickly to it. Any books or magazines that I fall out of love with, I pass along. I have another binder with individual patterns I bought and free patterns from the Internet.

When I am working on a quilt, I store it in a box with the fabric and any special rulers, tools, threads, etc.

Just a quick note...

Check your county library's website for magazines. Our county library has many (98) different digital subscriptions that are available to patrons. There is not expiration date or limit on them. The software that they send the magazines through is Zinio. There are sewing and quilting magazines available, along with lots of other ones too.

Steve

Was not aware that libraries may have digital subscriptions. Looked on our web site just not able to figure it out. I see a trip to the library this weekend. Thank you Steve

Sewing_hubby,
Please, what is the name of the scanning app you mentioned above for your I-pad. It may be just what I need. Thank-you.

I have gotten way too many magazines over the years...and am just starting to go through them and taking out what I like, and then pass the magazine around my group of quilting friends. By the time it is around the group, there is next to nothing let to the magazine. I have plans to get different binders for different types of quilts, but haven't done that yet. Probably will get plastic sleeves to put the patterns/pictures into.

I had a few magazine subscriptions for a few years, then my mom passed away and I inherited all her magazines; years and years worth. I don't have the heart to tear them up and sort them, so I sit with a pile every once in awhile and go through and sticky note the ones I like, and organize by name of magazine. It is interesting, as I am starting to go through some of the magazines a second time, I am really surprised at the patterns I sticky noted the first time.

Hi,

I use the app "CamScanner HD Pro" in my iPad.

Steve

This is what I do also. I also use tabs in the notebook to sort them by: stars, 9 patches, baby etc.

I have tried to quit buying magazines, as I have way too many patterns, ideas, etc. now. Plus with all the free patterns out there.......

Wouldn't you know it? My library has magazines devoted to almost everything, including tattoos, but not quilting!

i'm moving and trying to get rid of stuff i don't use. so, before tossing the mags, i perused them while in a waiting situation. i found so many ideas, now i can't get rid of them :)

How easy is it to use the scanner on iPad? What does it cost?

I use the large index cards.
Title of mag at top.
One line with date of mag and pg # short discription.

I don't have an Ipad but friend does and I am sure she would love to use it. Does it come with Ipad or is it a program?

Steve, do you have to pay a monthly fee for this app?

I do the same thing--works great!!!

I've been doing this for years. I only tear out the pictures and directions for items I KNOW I may want to do some day. Then when I need a pattern I just curl up with my looseleaf notebook and peruse all the possibilities . Having had my computer crash and lose everything twice this works out best for me.

I rip them out and put in plastic sleeves in binders for stars; rectangles; squares; triangles; scrap quilts. I put all instructions applicable in the sleeve. It took a little time because I use to just keep all the quilt magazines but that got kind of messy. I am happy with the new system but I am beginning to think I need to go through the binders and get rid of some stuff too :)

I do this same thing. Figure I'll be dead before many of them get done, but it's fun to dream! Also, it saves time leafing through the magazine and getting distracted with quilts that I know I'll never make. I only keep ones I'll actually make. After I finish the kits I've already bought. Maybe I need to get off here and go sew! :-)

We moved a couple of years ago to a smaller house and I didn't have room for all the crates of old quilting magazines so I copied what I wanted and donated the rest. I do not now subscribe to any of them and find I have plenty of patterns that I copied and many more are available on line for free. The new magazines are mostly ads anyway and I seldom see anything I really want to make.

I had a subscription to American Patchwork & Quilting, but not renewing it, and I bought the first Quilting Quickly, I just go through them a couple times, and only keep the ones that I'm pretty sure I'll make something from. Give others to a quilting friend. Too many free patterns!

I cut out quilt patterns I like and put them in plastic sleeves.

I admire your organizing skills ladies. I happen to have enough to open a quilting library.

Remember, 85% of a magazine is advertising. Tear out what you think you would ever use and take the rest to the Goodwill. Someone else will like what you didn't. I use the slip in pages and have a book for bags, baby, etc. I don't like applique so never take those out, etc. We will not live long enough for the magazine to become valuable but if I keep to many I use up to much FABRIC storage....

I agree with quilt til u wilt. I tear the patterns I want and put the other magazines at the garage sale for free or take to our quilt group and share if they want. I also hate to throw them away.

I like your idea of making kits. It sounds like easy fun. I've sort of started one with scraps of all peachy-pink and greens. I'm going to take your suggestions and follow through. Thanks!
~ Cindy

I'm thinking of cataloging mine on a spread sheet, with volume and page number. I have a lot of old ones that were given to me, but I now get them digitally.

Quilting Quickly Magazine
 

I have 2 of the Magazines. Are there more out as I woud like to get all of them?