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​Pattern Reviews, Easy Projects, Tips, & Sew-a-longs 

12/28/2020 9 Comments

How to Organize Sewing Patterns

Sewing organization tips for patterns DIY
Do you get the organizing bug after the holidays? I know I do. Remember Kon Mari? Yep, my closet and dresser clothes are still organized and folded with her method. It's been a couple of years and I need to revisit my dresser. But we'll save that for another day. Today I want to share with you how I organize my patterns. 
How to organize sewing patterns.
I have quite a few patterns for sewing although, not nearly as many as other sewists, I know. I have friends who have bins upon bins of sewing patterns. 

In my stash, I have PDF ones, traced off ones, patterns that have been adjusted and re-adjusted again, and of course regular pattern envelopes. I keep my shop patterns and self sewing patterns intermingled. However, they get separated by category. I'm not completely crazy. Ha!

Start with your PDF Patterns

Here's what you'll need:
  1. Box of envelopes
  2. Marker and washi tape
  3. Clips (optional) 
  4. Boxes or bins to fit the patterns inside
Organizing sewing patterns and PDF's

The Process

  • Go to your local office supply store and grab a box of 6x9 envelopes. They had white and manilla colors to choose from when I went. The box was about $15. It may cost more or less depending on how many are in the box. White seemed to be more expensive but, I liked the clean look of white so that's what I bought. You could order online too, I'm sure.
  • Grab all the PDF patterns you have. If they aren't printed and are still living in the eternal bliss of your computer, don't print them off. Save that for another day. 
  • Fold each pattern into a 5 x 8 size. Include every piece to that pattern in the folding process. I used a wonder clip to keep all of the pieces together and folded up. And, then I stuck them in a big pile, as you can see above. I chose to fold first, then stuff. But, you can tackle it however you'd like.
  • Grab a pattern from the pile. Write that pattern number, brand, size, etc. on the front of the envelope. 
  • Then, stuff the folded pattern pieces inside the envelope. I used a piece of washi tape to close the envelope. There were a few patterns that needed a few pieces of tape. ;)
  • Repeat until all the PDF's are in envelopes. 
How to organize PDF sewing patterns
Stuff the folded pieces inside the envelope.
How to organize your PDF patterns for sewing.
Tape the suckers closed!
I had a bunch of cute boxes with lids that I purchased years ago from IKEA. They kept crafty items organized inside them. 2 years ago, I took out the built-in shelves and redid our bonus room. The boxes were no longer needed. But, I didn't want to throw them away because I knew I'd use them eventually.

​Fast forward to eventually.

They were the perfect size for my patterns!! I tucked the lids under the boxes and my envelopes fit inside. If you have a few shoeboxes lying around that are empty, cover them with pretty paper, spray paint, or wrapping paper. Your envelopes will fit perfectly inside.
How to DIY your pattern organization.
PDF's all neatly inside their new envelope homes.

Pattern Envelopes

Now that your PDF's are neatly organized, stick your other pattern envelopes inside the boxes too. I chose to organize mine by category. 
How to simplify and organize sewing patterns
My patterns used to live in a huge bin (the blue box) and I couldn't easily find what I was looking for. 

Just an FYI, the organization day got uglier before it got pretty. Sorta like most organizing, right? LOL

I ended up using 4 boxes. I stuck all tops in one box. Dresses and jumpers in another box. Bottoms, skirts, and pants in one box. And, everything else went inside the last box. I put the boxes on top of my Kallax shelf and can now see them all the time. If you'd like to organize all your sewing fabric next, read this post.

It's been so easy to find exactly what I'm looking for. I will add more pattern envelopes as I print off or create new patterns. 

How to organize sewing patterns and PDF patterns
The top of my shelf is the perfect spot to display sweet things that friends have given me over the years.
Organizing sewing patterns
The PDF's are neatly tucked into their envelopes and put into boxes.
Sewing room organization
I recently moved my Kallax shelf because my fabric started fading in spots! YIKES!!!! So, this is a photo of where it is now and the pattern boxes on top. 


So, are you off to organize your patterns? Please tag me if you do any sewing organization. I love seeing sewing rooms/corners and all the pretty things inside them. Share this post with anyone you know who needs a little motivation too. Thanks in advance!!
​

Happy organizing,
Annette

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9 Comments
Pat Orth link
7/12/2021 05:18:24 am

great organization tips

Reply
Annette
7/29/2021 09:24:25 pm

Thanks so much Pat! Hopefully they gave you some new ideas to tackle your patterns. :) Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
Dawn Ford
10/2/2021 05:51:40 pm

Hi I am Dawn from Australia, just trying to get back into sewing again but unfortunately am a bit disabled. A held back with a few things. But so glad to find someone to help organise my patterns. Look forward to seeing more of your newsletter. 😍🥰❤❤

Reply
Lynette Van Schalkwyk
7/13/2021 04:45:29 am

Luv your ideas.

Reply
Annette
7/29/2021 09:25:07 pm

Yay!!! I'm happy to hear that. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Reply
Melody
8/31/2021 09:57:43 am

I store my patterns this way. I iron the pieces prior to putting them in the envelopes to reduce bulk. Instead of writing on the front I copy and paste the picture of the item onto a 4”x4” computer label, print and stick to the envelope. You could also just print the page in the PDF that shows the item, cut it out and glue it to the front of the envelope. It makes it so quick and easy to know what’s inside.

Reply
Annette
9/2/2021 10:16:25 am

Hi Melody,
That's genius! I'm going to print the pattern photos for my PDF's from here on out. ;) Thanks for sharing and stopping by!!

Reply
Rosalie
12/19/2022 06:06:36 am

Your shelves look real cute, neat and USEFUL. I took the idea of using larger envelopes, 10"x13". In case I adjust some pieces to fit, or morph the pattern in some other way, I can keep the modified pattern pieces right in the same envelope. There is also room for adding swatches, sewing records, etc. I bought bins just a bit bigger than those envelopes, to hold them.

Reply
Annette
12/26/2022 09:07:39 am

Rosalie, that is a great idea. As the years have gone by, I do regret not using bigger envelopes. Some PDFs are a little hard to fit into smaller envelopes. Thanks so much for sharing 😊 and stopping by.

Reply



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    Hi there, I'm Annette and I love eating and sewing. I usually have a cup of coffee or tea with me, but not next to my machine because I'd probably spill it. I am the reason we can't have nice things.

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