Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Mrs Rabbit
Date: 07-14-2004, 07:44 PM (1 of 14)
|
How do you store your paper patterns in an orderly and easy to find method? I've tried various ways and none of them seem to be useful. At present, they are stacked (like records) at the top of the linen press ... no ideas apart from that from my brain! Would appreciate any ideas! Jennifer |
User: Mrs Rabbit
Member since: 07-12-2004 Total posts: 10 
|
From: GFranklin
Date: 07-14-2004, 09:19 PM (2 of 14)
I like to use the zipper bags that you can get from Nancy's Notions. They have a pocket in front to put the pattern envelope and you can store the pieces in the zippered part. They have made my life much easier .
Gayle
|
User: GFranklin
Member since: 07-04-2004 Total posts: 101 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-15-2004, 07:06 AM (3 of 14)
|
How do you store your paper patterns in an orderly and easy to find method? Hahahaha -- Mine are stuffed in a desk drawer -- ok, ok -- three desk drawers. It helps me remember what I have because I have to root through all of them when I am looking for something. I did take a tip from somewhere -- I have no idea where I first heard it -- and when I refold a piece I make sure the information about the pattern number and the piece's number is showing for easy recognition next time I use it. And I put all the pieces for each separate garment in a small plastic bag so they are all together the next time I want them. Then I shove the plastic bag in the envelope and the envelope into the drawer. When I can't shove anymore in I throw away the oldest ones I no longer use. |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: pucktricks
Date: 07-15-2004, 10:14 AM (4 of 14)
|
this won't really help with pattern storage, but may help with not buying any twice. One thing I did was scan all of my patterns front and back and now whenever I go to the fabric store I take the folder of patterns with me, and can know exactly how much cloth I need and if I already have a pattern. Ticia
|
User: pucktricks
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 570 
|
From: GFranklin
Date: 07-15-2004, 12:30 PM (5 of 14)
|
I forgot to add that I keep the patterns in market baskets (the type that you get peaches, etc., in), clothing patterns in one, and home dec in the other. When I had children's patterns, they were in their own basket. These fit right on the shelf and I just pull the one down that I need and I can sort through, as they are standing on end, in order of type of garment (pants, blouse, dress, etc.). My sister says I am anal.
Gayle
|
User: GFranklin
Member since: 07-04-2004 Total posts: 101 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 07-15-2004, 05:47 PM (6 of 14)
|
I have 2 of those storage units that have drawers. The small unit has 2 drawers that are perfect for storing patterns in. I keep craft/home decor in one, adult sizes in another. Then I have a larger unit which I can put 2 rows of patterns in and this one I keep the patterns I use for the grandkids in. I trace all my patterns so I have too much to go back into the envelope so all my patterns are in zip lock bags with the envelope facing out. All the patterns pieces are separated in little sandwich size bags inside the larger plastic bag so I can pull out the pattern pieces I need for that particular item without having to dig thru all the different pieces. I also put the different sizes of the same garment in a separate bag so all I have to do is check which size I need and only those pieces come out. I keep a black permanent marker handy to mark all the bags.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-15-2004, 07:04 PM (7 of 14)
|
I have tranferred my patterns over to envelopes big enough to hold them. on the front I have the pattern #, company and size(s), and who it is for man, women, teen, child... I have them in number order in plastic storage drawers. Then I have taken the patttern envelope and put in books that look somewhat like a pattern catalog which is labled, dress, pants, tops/shirts, sleepwear, etc ( in number order to their section). I can take these with me to the store and have all the info I need. Plus I can inventory on my computer everything I have and be able to insert new paterns quickly. It takes some time setting up but it has been great in the long run having it this way. Once I have used a pattern and there are more pieces than the envelope will hold I just put it all in a big zip-lock bag with the info showing and put it back in number order in the drawer. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Mrs Rabbit
Date: 07-15-2004, 07:34 PM (8 of 14)
|
Thank you for your ideas. I have been leaning towards Kwik Sew patterns - easy & fit well. When I trace the pattern, I keep it in a plastic sleeve (like you put in a file) and type the info on a sheet of paper with a scanned picture. Just wondering what to do with it next! Cheers Jennifer |
User: Mrs Rabbit
Member since: 07-12-2004 Total posts: 10
|
From: Writer
Date: 07-16-2004, 08:17 AM (9 of 14)
|
I just read about this idea and implemented it. It works for me. I'm using accordian files--Target has ones with clear plastic files inside. I use one for pants, one for dresses, one for blouses and now I've started one for those quilting patterns I pick up and don't seem to have the time to make. Diana |
User: Writer
Member since: 01-16-2001 Total posts: 184 
|
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 07-19-2004, 11:24 AM (10 of 14)
|
Several years ago, well, about 10 yrs ago, I bought some pattern boxes from Nancy's Notions. The patterns can be listed on the outside of the boxes, and I have each box dedicated to a different kind of pattern: dresses, pants, shirts & blouses, formal dresses, costumes, coats, casual wear, miscellaneous. It has worked out really well. I keep them on a shelf in my sewing/computer room closet, which has a large closet with mirrored sliding doors. I have a 3-bedroom apartment now since my daughter Shauna and her DH and small son bought my house. So I have my bedroom which has a huge closet (actually large enough to put a single bed in!!), my sewing/computer room, and my guest/craft/library room, which has a daybed in it, a desk, and 3 tall bookcases. and a comfortable chair, and another mirror-fronted sliding doors closet. I have a nice-sized living-room and dining area, 2 complete baths, a small laundry room. The kitchen, unfortunately, is the usual postage-stamp-sized apartment kitchen. Several women I know live here in this complex and are widows also, and we all keep our extra pans in the dishwasher, since cooking for only one person uses so few dishes and pans that we usually just wash them by hand! MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
|
User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: GFranklin
Date: 07-19-2004, 11:53 AM (11 of 14)
Wow, MariLynn, can I come live with you Your apartment sounds wonderful!
Gayle
|
User: GFranklin
Member since: 07-04-2004 Total posts: 101 |
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 07-19-2004, 02:44 PM (12 of 14)
|
Thanks, Gayle! I really like my apartment, too...it is over 1200 sq.ft. and I only pay $805 per month for it! Bastrop is a small town, less than 5000, 24 miles east of Austin, where apts. cost a small fortune! It also has A/C central heat, and covered parking. I just signed another year's lease. MariLynntx
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
|
User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-19-2004, 05:49 PM (13 of 14)
MariLynn, it does sound very nice. Reasonable rent too, that's for sure. Can I come and visit too.  We could talk sewing, etc. for about a month!
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: MariLynnTX
Date: 07-19-2004, 05:58 PM (14 of 14)
|
Mary, that is what my guest/library room is for! MariLynn
Life is a song...we give it harmony or dissonance.
|
User: MariLynnTX
Member since: 08-13-2001 Total posts: 256 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-13254.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft