jwlheart - I made a system similar to yous but I didn't carry it as far -I have them by pattern # - but I like your 3x5 idea for description!

Marysewfun

That is exactly what I do. I get my binders from yard sales and I get a box of 100 sheet protectors from a place that buys/sells baseball cards for $13.00. Works great!!

i guess i don't have as many as the rest of you seem to have. i have mine stored on a couple of bookcase shelves in magazine storage boxes. i like to take the time to browse through them from time to time. it is relaxing to me.

I put the pattern envelopes (without the patterns) in sheet protectors and put them in notebooks arranged by style. Then I put the patterns in quart size baggies and put them into shoe boxes in number order like at the stores. Then I place them in a cabinet that holds just my notebooks & my patterns. I have my quilt patterns on a top shelf of another cabinet, but I am thinking of putting them all in one cabinet. I am very blessed to have the space for a pattern cabinet, but I made sure that when I planned my sewing room that I had a "pattern cabinet". Good Luck on your search.

Have a blessed day.

debra

All great ideas! I'll be using a couple of these myself. Thanks so much.

Binders got to full so bought a hanging file crate for less than $5 and now keep them organized by blocks, baby, information,stars,etc. works great. I download patterns from the web alot so this works for me.
Mags I keep in a bookcase just cannot cut them up. Never made a quilt from one anyway.

The patterns I've printed or pulled out of magazines I have in sleeve protectors in binders. All the rest of the patterns are in a plastic bin I found at the dollar store that's just the right size to hold them standing up so I can flip thru them. I have them sorted by quilts, table runners, wall hangings, and purses and bags. I don't sew clothing so I don't have clothing patterns.

Like I always say, everyone's brain works differently. For me I could never separate the pattern cover from actual pattern. Too much could go wrong in my sidetracked brain. I have my patterns in little plastic boxes about 8x8 ( or however wide the pattern is...it fits perfectly) I keep favorite patterns in one bin...patterns I might need in another...and patterns I probably will never use but might need for reference in another. This works so well for me and is brainless for my Adult ADD. I, too, find it very relaxing to thumb through and it is so quick when I am looking for something.

What works for me right now is putting all of my quilt patterns (that come in the 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" plastic bags) in a tote. For ME - right now - that's organized enough...cause at least *I* know where ALL of them are at.

Great ideas! Thanks to everyone!