Keeping track of patterns

Lizzy Taylor wrote in news:463f4023$0$10737 $ snipped-for-privacy@news.zen.co.uk:

You mean we're *supposed* to be organized? Eeeep!

I try to keep like patterns together----jackets, sleepwear, pants & tops---kinda like the pattern books separate patterns. Yes, I mix the pattern names, Simplicity & McCall's & others together in the same group. This works for me. Barbara in Central FL

I got a couple large plastic file boxes from an office store that holds hanging folders... plus I bought a box of hanging folder.

I have tried to file them by type (shirts, jackets, pants, combo sets), with one box for adult women patterns (for me!), and the other with children, stuffed animal, and other non-clothing patterns (some I made up for things like home dec and gifts).

Unfortunately, several are placed on top of the piano next to my cutting table as I am trying to get them to fit as I get time! Last week I cut out several T-shirts from variations of several patterns from cheap "muslin" knits that I will serge up next week to see which pattern fits. Tomorrow I will be modifying the Hot Patterns Plain and Simple Princess Shirt for a Curvy Girl because it was not curvy enough using the moulage I finally got to fit. I am also working on a woven bias tank top and a basic shift, oh and a pair of coulottes... with a look to getting a vest to fit.

Once I get a few patterns to fit me... I am going to hang them in a special spot to use over and over again!

well.....just to weigh in here. I have 4 or 5 of the floral cardboard pattern boxes that I rooted out when the JoAnns near my house in NY was clearing them out. I have one box strictly for MY patterns, one for crafts, one for men and children (will have to change this soon as I have LOTS of children's patterns now) and one for crafts....I think costumes are combined with crafts now, though they used to be in their own box....lets see..that makes 4 boxes at the present, 5 in the near future.

Within those boxes, I have tried to organize them by what they are for....outerwear first, then tops, then bottoms, then sleepwear...guess it's my anal retentive nature again

Larisa, who never thought about compiling a database about my patterns

Someone recently said that they photocopy their pattern fronts and backs multiple times(?). File them is clear plastic pockets, in a notebook, according to what catagory in fits into. ie. Jackets, tops, shorts, pants etc. Then the original is filed by what ?? I've forgotten. I don't even remember where I got the info from. But if someone on this list hasn't piped up and claimed the methodology then it must be on one of the other lists I'm on.

I'll work on it, AK in PA

I'm sorry. I've checked through all the sewing groups I'm on and haven't found anything. I also checked my history and favorites folders and didn't find it there either. This is bugging me. I know I would have saved something that would have saved me from my disorganization. I'll check somewhere else when I have the time. AK in PA

Don't panic!

I now know that the only duplicated patterns I have are on purpose, I have more dress patterns than I will ever use (and I have just ordered some more), I do need the skirt patterns I have ordered and children grow out of patterns faster than you can keep up with.

Lizzy

I have 12 crates of patterns... Each crate is labelled by type. For example:

'Large format/Vogue' contains the larger format Vogue patterns (other than wedding/special occasion patterns) and other larger format pattern envelops, arranged in type (all skirts together, etc.) within the crate.

Wedding & Special Occasion' is ordered by date of issue.

I have one labelled '50's & 60's', another for the 70's, and one for the

80's... These are arranged in date order according to year of copyright (if available; best guess otherwise!).

The 'Historical Costumes' crate is ordered according to era...

The more modern patterns are arranged by type, like the Vogue box. The kids stuff is arranged by the age of kid the pattern is for, starting with infants at one end and going to teens at the other. 'Outdoors' is arranged by function: waterproof at one end, fleece at the other. Hats and other accessories, along with bags are in a 'crafty stuff' box...

All the patterns are sealed up in ziplock type bags, along with any notes I make about alterations, the size I cut it out, or if I traced off a particular size, and if that copy is in the envelope.

Madness, but there's method in't.

Hmmm. I got rid of most of my patterns when I got pattern drafting software, but I know that Wild Ginger has some sort of program to keep track of those things. I have no idea how much it would cost, but I have no qualms about recommending their software if it fills a need.

If we are, I'm sure in big trouble. I have patterns in two or three 11 x 14 x 11 stackable open storage crates, fabric in about a dozen banana boxes, and notions in a bunch of stackable 2- and 5-gallon storage boxes. All stuffed in one corner of my bedroom. That's about as organized as I am going to get.

Pat, This sounds familiar. AK in PA

You and me both, sister! lol

I keep mine grouped (mostly) by type. Adult tops, adult bottoms, adult dresses, child tops, child bottoms, child dresses, craft, Halloween, dolls. And I do have a couple of McCall's pattern cabinets. I got them when the Wal-Mart in our old home town remodeled and got new ones. I bought these for $40 each. (those of you who have the room for one, is your Hancock's closing? If so, see what kind of deal they would make you on one.) Unfortunately, my sewing room in this house is a good bit smaller than my sewing room in the old house. So the pattern cabinets have to live out in the garage. I am planning to empty one out (they store notions and fabric well too; 45" wide fabric rolled back on a cardboard bolt fits perfectly in the drawers; the plastic shoe boxes also fit in there well.) I have a good friend with a really Large sewing room. I'm going to give one of the cabinets to her, it's just a matter of getting it emptied then loaded in DH's pickup to take down there.

I really did used to be organized! well except for not putting used patterns back in the envelopes. Those tend to get tossed into a shopping bag and "taken care of later." *sigh*

Sharon

I keep my patterns in a small antique trunk, with drafting tools in the tray, but those I've used during the last five years are hung on small copper nails pounded into the paneling. The plan *was* that I'd put them back into the envelopes also hung on the nails, but the latest patterns I haven't bothered to mark envelopes for.

Joy Beeson

I only have maybe 40 commercial patterns, so that's not too difficult.

But if you've got a lot, and you've got a scanner, why not scan the back of the pattern envelope and add that to your spreadsheet? That'll give you the line drawings, suggested fabric and yardages.

Then file the patterns numerically by company, so you can go from your spreadsheet to the actual pattern easily.

Kay

Scanning the pattern backs is a good idea, though it might be easier these days to take a digital photo and save that under a sensible filename.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Lizzy