Over the weekend I decided to get my act together and sort them out.
Armed with several large letter envelopes, transparent folders, sticky tape and scissors I set out on a mission to organise my stash.
Armed with several large letter envelopes, transparent folders, sticky tape and scissors I set out on a mission to organise my stash.
The first thing I did was sort through them and organise them by type,
Dresses
Tops
Outfits
Skirts and Trousers
Underwear and Sleepwear
Bags and Accessories
For each pattern, I then placed the paper pattern pieces into an envelope, cut the original pattern envelope open and taped it inside a clear folder to the front of the envelope. I decided to do it this way as it is just easier to put the paper pieces into a large envelope rather than a small one, the idea came from PBunnieP on Youtube and I just thought this idea would work well for me. At the moment I am storing them in magazine racks on the bookcases used in my sewing space.
So that was my patterns organised, but I still struggle to remember what I have, this was when I decided to make up my very own pattern catalogue.
I used images of the pattern I had along with the technical line drawings and put them into a regular self adhesive photo album.
This was very inexpensive and although it took a little time to complete now, adding to it will only take a few minutes each time I purchase a new pattern. The pages are numbered with a hand written itinerary at the front, these means I can quickly find the pattern on my shelf because I have stored them in numerical order. I chose to have my pattern list hand written so I didn't need to print a new version each time I add a pattern to my collection, I can just add to what I already have. I listed them with Pattern Number, Type, Descripton, Fabric Type.
This was very inexpensive and although it took a little time to complete now, adding to it will only take a few minutes each time I purchase a new pattern. The pages are numbered with a hand written itinerary at the front, these means I can quickly find the pattern on my shelf because I have stored them in numerical order. I chose to have my pattern list hand written so I didn't need to print a new version each time I add a pattern to my collection, I can just add to what I already have. I listed them with Pattern Number, Type, Descripton, Fabric Type.
I have a new pattern to add right now actually, it the new pattern from Deepika Prakash at patternreview.com It is the Winter Street Dress which I have been testing out for her. It is available now. I will be posting a full blog review on the 11th April when the blog tour heads my way but one thing I will say right now is that it is one of the easiest sews I have ever completed.