Organizing Patterns

I have a problem...I love patterns. Probably more than I love fabric. PDF, paper - it doesn't matter...I can't pass them up. I had to come up with a way to organize my patterns so that I could keep the picked up, easily flip through them when I'm looking for inspiration, and check my catalog before I purchase something to make sure I don't buy (another) duplicate. In today's blog post, I'll share how I keep myself organized!

Book Buddy+ Is Your Friend

I *love* pattern books, especially those by Lori Holt - and it's hard for me to remember which ones I actually bought, and which I still need. After buying a couple of duplicates, a friend recommended the app 'Book Buddy+' (available for Android & iOS). This app is so easy to use. You simply point it at the ISBN on the back of any book and it'll scan it and automatically add all of the information into your library - including a thumbnail. If you keep up with the quick scans as books come into your home, a quick glance through your library will help make sure you don't buy a duplicate book! It is a bit more work, but you can also manually enter any other patterns/books you may have that don't have an ISBN so that you have a complete catalog of all your Quilty patterns & books on hand!

Storing Paper Patterns

In the US, paper patterns are printed (usually) on 8.5" x 11" paper - and then folded in half so the 8.5" edges match. This makes it perfect size for the 5.5" x 8.5" sheet protectors! I purchase mini binders, slip each of my paper patterns into a sheet protector, and then place - in an order that makes sense to my brain, in a binder. Personally, I like to group my favorite pattern authors into their own binders, and then the rest are sorted by project type, then filed alphabetically by pattern name. By slipping the paper patterns into the sheet protectors, one side quickly shows me what the project will look like, and the backside of the sheet protector shows fabric requirements!

Storing PDF Patterns

For these, I don't take the time to print off every PDF pattern I've collected (that'd take a lot of time & paper) - so, instead I opt for storing in the cloud (think iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.). I keep the same filing system I follow for my paper patterns (group by project, designer, etc.). This lets me swipe through my patterns from any of my devices - and since I have the PDF easily on-hand, if the inspiration hits while I'm in a Quilt Shop, I already know materials I need!

Foundation Paper Piecing Patterns

I love using FPP to create blocks I wouldn't have been able to do via traditional piecing...but, if you don't have the FPP template, you're not going to get anywhere. To make sure my FPP patterns are ready for me when the inspiration hits, I've compiled an 8.5" x 11" binder that contains an assortment of sheet protectors to house the pattern and the initial print of templates. Behind the sheet protector, I keep a zipper pouch specifically designed for binders that houses all of my little template pieces! I may even, occasionally, go the extra step by jotting down in pencil on the original template fabric measurements needed for each piece of my FPP template! It's a bit of work - but it helps me get straight to the creating without second guessing myself!

Becca Shifflett

Becca’s work can be found on her website www.sewbecca.com and follow her work on her YouTube channel Sew Becca. She is a valued member of our Cotton Cuts Influencer team. Follow her as she sews our PMQs each month.