Consider numbering your patterns. Then create a spreadsheet. You can create a list with different variables. It will be easy to add new items and to delete patterns you get rid of. Once in a spreadsheet you can sort based on the author or size of quilt or method...it is endless. You could even list the name of the file for the ones you have stored digitally.
Important advise...have a backup of the digitally stored incase your hard drive dies.