a word document or a PDF

I have both paper and electronic pattern files - I find the electronic ones more organized. My intent is/was to scan my paper copies and then have only electronic files but I haven't made the time yet to do this.
I do find that I rarely print an electronic pattern file, I usually email to myself and then open on my tablet. Sometimes I'll print the cutting instructions page (only) so I can mark off as I cut.

I scan and save as a PDF. The thumbnails come up as pictures so I know what the quilt looks like. Names can be deceiving

makes 2 of us !

Well lets change that to 3! (grin) I just find it less of a hassle to have the paper pattern and not mess with the IT stuff. I only have one binder but its a large one with individual patterns and I do have a few years of quilting magazines. Enough of them that they are new to me when I look through them again. I no longer subscribe to all of the magazines I once did but I still have one coming that will expire this year. I really don't think I'll continue taking it. I've enough patterns on hand to keep me busy forever! Love looking at the new ones though. Eye candy!

If I got a pattern in digital form to start with it's in a folder on my computer and backed up on an external hard drive. I would rather be quilting than spending time scanning patterns, so unless space is critical, the printed ones stay in their binders. I've reached an age where I recognize there's no way I'll ever get everything made that I've accumulated, but I still enjoy having lots of options to leaf through, so they will continue to be stored for now.

I'm a very tactile person. I like to hold the pattern. flip through magazines and read a book made from paper. I find that anything that I store digitally is out of sight, out of mind.

I really enjoy looking at the patterns I save in binders and I love books. I do need to go through and get rid of some that no longer inspire me. I have no desire to put them on my computer but that is just me and 3 other quilters here. lol��

We are in the digital age. Only way to go!

Personally, I like the binder method the best. I like to look through them for instant inspiration. Unless you are really diligent doing the scanning and sorting and storing, you will never see or look at them again. I pull my books out and everything is right there to compare side by side. When they are "stored" you can't look at several at one time to use for picking and choosing.

recipes are the same way. They are right there in my kitchen. Opening and closing files on the PC is just not the same and takes more time, IMHO. I am sure there are more PC savvy people out there that love storing everything on their PC and it works well for them. I think I am old school. I like maps too, LOL.