Five Steps to Sewing Pattern Organization

Hi! I hope you all are not just surviving, but also thriving in this crazy unpleasantness that we are dealing with. With all of this inside time I know that many of us are getting organized (cause what else is there to do!?). 🙂

I want to share with you my take on a pattern organization idea that I got from Mimi G. While watching her on YouTube she began to explain how she organizes her sewing patterns. It sounded like a huge project, but I knew that I needed to get a handle on my sewing patterns so that I could actually see (and use) all of the patterns that I have.

So…I set out to get the work done. While working on this project I jotted down the steps I used to get organized so that I could share them with you! Here’s what you need to do to get your pattern stash organized.

Step 1. Purchase your supplies: a. 1 and/or 2 inch binders, b. Sheet protectors, permanent marker, 9X6 inch envelopes, binder spine labels or printed strips.

Step 2. Fill the binders with the page protectors and label them. As you can see I have a small folder that I use to store envelopes for projects that are in progress (or ones that I know I am about to start). Once I’m finished with the project the pattern envelopes go back in their respective binders.

Step 3. Write the pattern number on the envelope and put the pattern pieces and instructions in the envelope.

Step 4. Place the pattern envelope in the page protector in one of the binders. Note: You will want to place like patterns in the same binder. For example, pants and shorts should go in the same binder. If you only have a few patterns you can have a binder labeled “bottoms” and include pants, shorts and skirts in one binder.

Step 5. When you have finished labeling the new envelopes, put them in numerical order and store them. I used Rubbermaid plastic storage drawers to keep mine in the attic.

Now you have a system where you can “shop” your patterns instead of wondering what you have. If you have a cricut machine, you can take a shortcut and use my pre-made print-then-cut binder spine labels, here. Even if you don’t have a cricut, the software is free so you could totally download the app, print the labels on card stock or sticker paper, and cut them by hand.

Check out this link to see Mimi G.’s YouTube video of her process. It was invaluable to me, and has helped me step up my organization game.

Toodles!