margie77072

Ihave a ton of patterns saved on my computer. About every 3-4 months I go through them and delete ones, I know I'll never make because my tastes have changed. I still have way to many. My next thought is to just delete them all and start over (yeah, right...lol). I'm like this with jewelry patterns too.

Marysewfun

If you are worried about the amount of memory - - you can always get an external (plug in) drive and keep on saving. :-) I keep most of my embroidery and magazine articles on one.

Kimcatlou

At 81, it is ridiculous all the patterns I have collected from freebies online. I am now in the process of going through stacks of quilt magazines that I have saved. I am ONLY saving the patterns that I MIGHT do someday. Of course I need another 50-75 years!

katesnanna

Mine are saved in files on my computer. Every time I decide I'll clear some out I just end up adding more. I think it's another addiction - as soon as I see "free patterns" I'm on a roll again. I even have sub folders.

sdeaaz

I love your post..... I am like you.. I love my patterns and books, and magazines. Some nights I gather up an armful and just page through what I have. I am amazed at what I have saved, wonder why sometimes, because now it doesn't appeal to me at all. Trouble is, I have so much that when I want to find something I have quite a time. I have organized in binders that I get at garage sales and thrift stores, that helps. When I retire I hope to do more quilting and less collecting. I have noticed through the years a lot of magazines repeat the same pattern... I will be looking through magazines... and realize I have seen that before. Sometimes it upsets me when I pay $7-9 for a new magazine and it has 2-3 old patterns in it... but then how many ways can you cut material and make it into something different. Thanks for you post. It was fun to read. Quilter 1234

GramMER

Actually I used to print the patterns and put them in my files, but my hubby pointed out to me that printer cartridges cost him more than $100 each for our HP. We got the printer on sale and had no idea how much the cartridges would cost.

GramMER

I need to remember this one! It is a perfect description of my "sickness," or is it my satisfaction!

Drocket1

I weened down my magazine buying to only quilt magazines. Finally figured out...our quilt guild has sales with 25cent magazines at least 4 times a year and at our quilt show. GOing to stop the subscriptions and buy them at these sales for the 25cents. I love looking at the patterns and the color combinations! Now the money can go to my guild (which helps pay for our speakers), I save money, save space in my house (donate them back when done with them) and still get my "fix".

gayle bong

I used to do this too. But then it came to a point where so much of what I had was just being repeated. Same block different settings or different fabrics. Since I only enjoy traditional patchwork that is about all I save. But then I know how to draft patterns and can usually write my own directions from a picture. so I cleaned out my collection only saving pictures - unless it had unusual shaped patches. Then I sorted the pictures into similarly typed quilts. Now I have binders of pictures just for sampler quilts. BIG single star quilts, quilts with 60 degree angles, medallion quilts, great scrap quilts etc. I can and do design my own quilts, but often am inspired by these pictures. I also use google Images alot to get ideas on how to proceed with an idea I may have. For example, recently I was just about to start a pink and brown quilt. and just using those key words in google images, I came up with lots of ideas for pink and brown quilts and actually decided NOT to use just pink and brown in the quilt.
You may also find the longer you quilt, the more refined your taste in quilting gets. There is nothing wrong with collecting. I did find that I learned lots comparing the pictures and defining what I like in my quilts. I wouldn't consider it wasted time - looking at all those pictures and patterns. I try to save those tasks for when I can't sew. Like when I want to keep the house quiet, or I am sick or have a back ache or... ;-)

catmcclure

I bought an external hard drive (about $50) and it has more memory than my computer. That's where I keep my downloaded and digital patterns. I can put the external in my purse and take it to meetings without having to lug my computer along.