Pattern Organization

[LadyStitch]

This may have already been discussed in the Fabraholic's section but I'm curious. I'm looking for a good way to organize and store my patterns.

5 years ago I donated all but my ren patterns and some basic patterns to a local theater. 2 years ago I got rid of all but 5 ren patterns when I moved to NZ.  Now that I'm back from NZ I'm making custom patterns for myself and other's.
Currently I have them stacked/folded into manilla envalopes in a plastic tub.  I am very space concious so I'm trying to think of a better option.

1) Is there a better way to store them?
2) How to do store :
          a) commerical patterns after you use them?
          b) patterns you have made?

[DonaCatalina]

I use old paper boxes for storage. I put the individual patterns in ziploc bags with the picture/cover in the front.
Originally I tried to keep them seperated by male and female, but that went by the wayside.

[gem]

My commercial patterns are in a large paper shopping bag (like from a nice clothing shop).  The width is absolutely perfect for storing one row of pattern envelopes.

When I use a pattern, it gets slipped into a ziplock bag straightaway.  Unused pieces of the pattern stay in the envelope; the ones I've used go in the bag with the envelope.  I slip these bags down the side of the shopping bag.

My Margo Anderson patterns are currently in the shipping box they came in, but turned ends-up so I can flip through them easily.  My other expensive historical patterns (JP Ryan, etc) are there as well.  The packages these patterns came in are big enough to serve the ziplock function above.

The patterns I've drafted I store in a cardboard banker's box--either flat (for small pieces like hats or bodices) or rolled (for larger ones). 

My pattern books are stored horizontally on top of the bookcase in my bedroom, and WOE BETIDE the person who shifts, moves, rearranges or stacks anything on top of them!!

[LaurenLee]

If you have an empty drawer in a file cabinet, it would free up space where you are keeping that plastic tub.  They stand up nicely inside a hanging file folder.

Lauren

[Miranda]

I use a filing cabinet as well. 20 bucks from a going out of business sale.

[GirlChris]

Commercial patterns remain uncut and go back into their envelopes. The envelopes then go into a box that, many many years ago, contained frozen breaded fish.  Why this box? It's what I had available. It's not a good size or anything, and it's starting to overflow, but it's what I have.

Sew U patterns (It's a series of books that come with tissue paper patterns in the back) are uncut, carefully folded, and put back in the books.

(side note- for some reason I keep spelling "books" as "boox" this morning. What is wrong with me?)

Homemade/ printed from the internet patterns get folded carefully and go in manila envelopes with the name of the pattern, the size, and any other relevant details written on the front. They go on my bookshelf.

[LadyStitch]

I did the file cabinet thing for 2 years.  I found them to be completly unweildable.  When my friend telescoped his spine trying to carry even an empty one up a set of stairs i vowed not to do that again.

It seems I'm on the right track to :
1) keep patterns labled in zip loc bags
2) homemade patterns are labled, in mailla envalopes or ziplocs.  All blocks are rolled into tubes.
3) File the labled "files" into a labled box/tub.

[Lady Rosalind]

Here's my "organizational" method:

Big-3 patterns - keep in original envelope, uncut, sorted by Mens, Womens, then types of patterns (fairy costumes, bodices, skirts, full dress, hats, etc.)

Margo Patterns - original, uncut pieces to different items are separated into manilla envelopes, marked with item name, such as bodice, sleeves, forepart, etc, then sizes. I keep my size range separate from the others (so, 2-10 and 20-? are in one folder, while the 12-20 are in another). The originals are easy to find, and all pieces are put back into correct folders after being traced.

All final patterns, which I trace onto tracing paper, are kept in either manilla envelopes or gallon zip-lock bags, marked with the item name, the person's name, and the DATE, and whether or not this is an in-progress or final pattern (in pencil). This way, I have the working patterns available, along with data for WHEN the pattern fit (helpful in the future).

Right now, everything related to my current project (royal wedding garb for the King and Queen! yikes!) is housed in my living and dining rooms, more or less organized. Mostly less. Normally, the patterns in the manilla envelopes live in a small cabinet, vertically, and the Big-3 patterns are in pattern boxes on top of the cabinet. I haven't used a Big-3 pattern in ages, though, except to make costumes for my niece, although there are several I'd like to make when I have more time.

It's great to see everyone's techniques, and I am thinking of appropriating several ideas! 

[Kate XXXXXX]

I'll admit to being as anal about my pattern storage as I am about my thread!   

Commercial patterns are usually traced rather than cut, but all are treated the same: after use the original pattern is ironed, any tears repaired and then refolded back into the envelope.  Any additional pieces are added to the envelope, and then this is placed in a resealable bag of the correct size.  I often make a note on the outside of the bag saying who it was made for, when, and what sizes are in the envelope ready for use.

Home drafted patterns are popped into a similar size of resealable bag, along with a picture of the completed garment or the design drawing.

Patterns are arranged according to type, in stacking crates.  I have boxes labelled things like 'Children & Maternity', 'Outdoors', 'Large Format Vogue', 'Wedding', and 'Historical'.  Within the boxes the patterns are grouped as things like skirts, tops, suits, etc.  Historical patterns are grouped in eras.

I also have an archive of older patterns, dating from the 50's to the 70's, arranged by date of publication (or the nearest I can get, going by the illustrations on the front!).

Currently there are 12 crates, but I need more.

Look, I did say 'anal'!   

[Nina]

Being organizationally challenged, I've had to evolve my methods by what works.  Been there & done that with the boxes & shopping bags.  Sometimes I still do if I'm experiencing serious overflow. 

However, I am now using a plastic, vertical chest with 5 clear drawers.  It is rather narrow, just the right size for patterns turned on their side.  I think I paid about $15 for it on sale at Target.

I don't really sort the ones I make from the commercial ones.  All opened/used patterns go into gallon size zip lock bags then are sorted by type.  Historical & costume (ie:Halloween, Christmas, etc) all into the same 2 drawers for now.  Then clothes patterns for my daughter take up a drawer.  One drawer for Barbie clothes, american girl & other size doll clothes.  One for misc. such as dog beds, dog clothes, craft patterns, Christmas decorations, aprons, anything else. 

Don't ever iron them before putting them away.  I do sometimes iron them once I am ready to use them.

Lately, though, I find myself in need of either another such cabinet or **gasp** needing to weed out and get rid of some? Maybe I could use some therapy with that.  Not ready to part with any of them yet. Most likely will try to find another chest.

[Goody]

I use old paper boxes for storage. I put the individual patterns in ziploc bags with the picture/cover in the front.
Originally I tried to keep them seperated by male and female, but that went by the wayside.

I do the same. I put them in gallon bag, then I sit on them and close the zipper. I am always amazed at how much space that saves!

[verymerryseamstress]

I only use drafted patterns, so when I make them (usually out of muslin) I make a sample, photograph it, print out a picture and put the picture in the  zip-loc with the pattern so I can see exactly which pattern is in each bag. 

I then keep the ones I use most in a hanging shoe rack (you know the ones with the clear windows and have about 20 slots?) I have this shoe rack hanging on the wall in my sewing room.

This way I can see, within seconds, which pattern I need, instead of having to sort through bins.

I totally stole this idea from my clever sister who did it first.   

[Artemisia]

I keep commercial patterns in a square basket. My custom patterns are kept flat underneath my table-long cutting board. Obviously I don't have that many patterns.