I have so many sewing patterns, stored in totes, shelves, under the bed, and other secret places. I would like to know how to file them. How do you file sewing patterns? Do you file under company name and number? Or by style, Tops, skirts, pants etc? I welcome your ideas. Thanks for your help. Suzanna

If you have an Ikea near you check out their cardboard boxes. I saw some today not fancy just brown cardboard but the correct size for patterns.
It is Pappis and $1.49 25cm x34 cm x26 cm.
You have to fold it into shape but a lot cheaper than others.
It could easily be tarted up to look pretty.

Having been a dressmaker for almost 50 years, I find myself with many, many patterns! The method that has worked well for me is to place pattern envelopes in sheet protectors and 3 ring notebook, with a notebook (or tab) for each category – i.e. Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Menswear, Children, Crafts, etc., narrowing it down with tabs as needed. Patterns are placed in ziplock bags and filed numerically in a box or filing cabinet by company brand. This system allows for browsing through notebooks for inspiration, with corresponding patterns easily located. When filing the ziplock bags, be sure to put instruction sheet with sketch facing out for quick identification.

1 comment

by sebsews 21 Sep 2018

This is a great idea. One I may use in the future. Thank you, Suzanna

I'm very lucky to have a large basement. I have my sewing patterns in an old fashion, large 3 drawer dresser. Craft and adult in first. Kids and halloween costumes 2 drawer. Misc. in 3rd drawer. They have been in there since the 70"s.

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by sebsews 21 Sep 2018

I like this idea too. Thanks for sharing your idea. Suzanna

Mine are sorted in pattern boxes by size - Infant sizes, Toddlers, Children sizes, Adult sizes, Costumes, Crafts (includes home dec, aprons, and sewing related projects and totes and bags, and finally Christmas has its own box. These boxes have file dividers where I have written things like 3 - 6 months, 9-12 months, Baby Toys, etc. I had originally bought the boxes at Joann's but they aren't available there - but can now be ordered through Nancy's Notions or Annie's Craft Store.

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by sebsews 21 Sep 2018

Thanks for the info on the boxes, great idea! Hugs, Suzanna

by sewdeb 21 Sep 2018

You're welcome.

Hi Suzanna, I'm just ANAL and file them by the Company name with the pattern number being in numerical sequence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Chris

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by sebsews 21 Sep 2018

Thanks Chris, that is how my sister files her patterns. Hugs, Suzanna

by sewpam 23 Sep 2018

Chris, your comment made me smile. I do not have many patterns, but if I did, I would do it the same way then I would do a spreadsheet with different categories to find them later.

by dragonflyer 25 Sep 2018

Wow, you all are just too organized!

by sewpam 26 Sep 2018

No a little anal but trying to get organized.

First, I divide out adults and kids. After that, in each group, I put whole body patterns, such as dresses, jumpers, jumpsuits, pajamas or coats to the front. Then I go top (Sweaters, sweatshirts, blouses, camisoles) to bottom (skirts, pants). Men's patterns and costumes and crafts, such as pillows or aprons have a separate drawer. Company name doesn't matter to me at all! Your talk about secret places reminds me of my sewing friend who says her hubby has no idea how many places she has fabric yardage hidden. There's a reason we call our storages "stashes".

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by sebsews 21 Sep 2018

I used to file similar to this. I just found another secret place...those 2 unused cupboards above the refrigerator. LOL, need to use a tall ladder for that!