The Sewing Place
Tools of the Trade => Sewing Spaces and Furniture => Topic started by: Bodgeitandscarper on June 07, 2018, 17:30:39 PM
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How do you all store your sewing patterns? I've been looking for some boxes, plastic storage or anything the right size, but failing. I'm at the stage of thinking cardboard box and sticky back plastic, but I'm sure someone has a better idea...
Ideally I want them to stand upright and the container not have a lid, so they are easy to look through.
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I've got mine in a set of plastic draws & some shoe boxes.
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Stuffed in drawers...have to dig through everything to find anything.
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Bearing in mind that the majority of mine are pdfs. they are firstly on my computer (and backed up on another one and a memory stick), and secondly in see-through plastic wallets stored in a series of magazine files like these:
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT--DfCa2u3diB_5yvAxevhraRUcNYG-MlwwRdIipBVgKdvIdP7pQ)
(These are not mine - I'm too lazy tired to go upstairs and photograph them - although mine are just as pretty.
My traditional-style patterns are in similar pretty boxes with lids, a bit like these:
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRwBDxE7jrgxV5CXxS3djx8m3cPWJECd59hiBpoejeMLbh7WCch)
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I use archive boxes - cheap and ugly, but easy to paint if you want to pretty them up.
Standing on end there's space for two rows of butterick/McCall's/simplicity with a small gap in between. Vogue patterns have to lie on their sides at the end as they're too tall.
Pdf patterns I'm still working on a system, I punch holes and have them hanging from a hook but it's really hard to find the right one.
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A two drawer vertical metal file cabinet, heavy duty. Holds standard patterns 2 wide and the oversize ones turned on their side. It has a full width adjustable divider, like a wall, that I adjust as needed. Everything is sorted by type and I have tabs that show on red cardstock with category name. Current wishful thinking goes at front of top drawer, seldom used, like men's and costume patterns are back of lower drawer.
When I get an overflow I cull back and try to keep myself to this and a plastic shoe box of alleged current projects. Really it's just a drool box.
PDF's I use are generally over sized Lagenlook type stuff. Many are clamped into pant hangers and hanging in the closet or draped over a portable clothing rack. I'm going to put hooks on the back wall of my closet, under the shelf, so they can hang flat against the wall, out of the way.
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My patterns are a mixture of the standard packets (big 4 type), A4 size (Jalie) and my various own drafted patterns and tracings. I keep the commercial originals in appropriate sized boxes but I use lever arch files with Rexel type plastic pockets and gusseted plastic folders with stud fastening from Wilko (https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-a4-punched-pocket-wallet/p/0348796).
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1735/41935242194_48cc9f768e_n.jpg)
As you can see I keep some of the original patterns with my tracings, especially when I've several on the go. It's a good way of keeping WIP together while easily accessible.
I also like to pull out patterns that I'm thinking of sewing up but may not even have fabric for just yet and keep those out as an essential reminder — it'll be Christmas before I remember that cute sundress pattern otherwise.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1727/42652612731_62363869ef_n.jpg)
I can fit 4 of the small standard packets in one folder pretty comfortably and if they're side by side and back to back, the illustrations are all visible.
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I remove the pattern from the envelope and place it in an envelope of the same size with the number written at the top. This goes into a box, filed numerically. Boxes are kept well out of the way - usually in the loft.
I place the pattern envelope into a plastic sleeve and file in lever arch files, filed according to type.
Works for me.
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I use the Ikea 4 drawer Brimnes (https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/90355416/).
Each drawer can fit 2 rows of standard pattern envelopes side by side. Pdf's that have been printed are in an A4 ziplock bag and they fit in a single row landscape style.
There is more than enough room for my collection, any more and it's time to cull. I'm never going to live long enough to sew what I've already got.
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I don't really have a system. I have a couple of plastic baskets where the V/B/M/KS/NL type are stored because it's the right width. My style arcs are stored in magazine type boxes on the bookshelf. The PDFs are also put into large files with a picture taped on front and also stored in the magazine boxes. And usually i have a couple of patterns hanging in the closet because they are ones that are used often and I don't want to fold them up.
I don't think I'll be taking photos though ... they are kind of a mess.
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(https://i.imgur.com/VAJDVrU.jpg)
The brown envelope contains an uncut pattern from when I was precious about the factory folds. These days I just fold the pieces small enough to go back into the sleeve.
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I have great hopes of one day having a comprehensive system for both patterns and fabric. So far, I'm failing miserably, so I look forward to picking up some tips here.
Mine are all over the place. Tracings and pdf's live in large storage boxes rolled up, but patterns live in various boxes, some at work and some at home.
Jessie
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I use shoe or boot boxes, the patterns are alpabetical by brand and then numeric, the ones I have traced off are in large white envelopes of a similar size with number etc written across the top and kept at the front ('cos they're my favourites). The boxes are then tucked away at the side of the sofa under a small telephone table. I go through them now and then and weed out the ones I don't like, not much space in my bungalow. I wish I had room for a suitable cabinet but I would probably keep too many.
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This is what I keep mine in. It works quite well although I need more!
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I put mine in clear plastic wallets and then into a box (like Acorn posted) I have to rummage through. However why did I not think of lever arched files? Much easier to flick through! I shall be raiding the stationery cupboard at work today me thinks :ninja:
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I have mine tossed into cardboard boxes. One time I had them all in manilla envelopes to be put into a filing cabinet, so a good portion are like that, some are the envelopes they came in.
It is the only thing I do not have a system for: commercial patterns.
Drafts and PDFs are on patten hooks and either on my garment rack or coat hooks.
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Interesting this I imagined there would be perfect filing systems all over but thankfully most are the same as my system,
three stuffed baskets with a fourth full of done patterns, never to be used again. I suspect even if I had more space it would be the same.
The only real system is for the pattern currently in use, a nice zipped folder to keep everything inside until finished. A system that has only recently started through losing a pattern piece half way through.
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@Gernella: if I had more patterns, there would be a system.
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Upstairs there's a little 2-drawer filing cabinet, fairly well stuffed. Not all of the patterns have been used, but most have. Then there's a great big shoe/boot box full of ones that have some sort of theme [I think they're evening/bridal and a very few old children's ones] A small zippy bag with some bag making oddments and patterns, a small ziplock with same for undies. A couple of carrier bags of patterns and scraps waiting to be filed, because when I clear the sewing space I tend to just lob the bagfuls into the boxroom. Very messy.
DOWNstairs, a large-ish drawer full of ones I want to make soon, plus a box on the windowsill of the ones I've recently finished or have half made, or want to cut out very soon.
Oh yes, and some rolled up PDFs in a cardboard box in the corner...
Oh dear. :S :* :snip: :snip: :snip:I do have a lot.
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@UttaRetch lol you'd think so, but I can't afford the amount of filing cabinets I need.
Ergo...boxes it is.
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Found a traced off skirt pattern in a tube.
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I seem to remember that after my niece finished university, she rented a small shop in the village for her first venture as a seamstress away from home (boy did I envy her cutting out table). Anyway she bought a chest of drawers/cabinet in a charity shop, complete with drawers full of mostly very old Vogue patterns.
To be honest all these descriptions, I think we need more pictures!
I've pencilled in for decorating the room in 2019 (I might then get rid of the ceiling shades that have been up 40 years). I just might get more organised (in my dreams!).
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When I buy a new pattern, I make a copy of the envelope front and back. If it's a PDF, I print out the cover/line drawing and yardage info page. If one pattern comes with different types of garment (e.g. top and skirt), I make multiple copies.
The printed/copied page then goes into my pattern catalog binder. The binder is divided into types of garment: top, skirt, pants, dress, outer, underwear, and bag.
The unused physical pattern envelopes are stored in a box in alphabetical order by company.
Once the pattern is used, I put them in a manila envelope so that I can keep original patterns and traced patterns together and keep the instruction and pattern pieces from PDF patterns together. I write down the pattern company name, pattern # or pattern name, and a short description of the pattern ("McCalls 7254" then below it "cardigans") at the right top corner of the envelope and right side edge of the envelope. The envelopes are then stored in alphabetical order by company.
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That sounds a beautifully meticulous system, Hachi. :D
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When I buy a new pattern, I make a copy of the envelope front and back. If it's a PDF, I print out the cover/line drawing and yardage info page. If one pattern comes with different types of garment (e.g. top and skirt), I make multiple copies.
The printed/copied page then goes into my pattern catalog binder. The binder is divided into types of garment: top, skirt, pants, dress, outer, underwear, and bag.
The unused physical pattern envelopes are stored in a box in alphabetical order by company.
Once the pattern is used, I put them in a manila envelope so that I can keep original patterns and traced patterns together and keep the instruction and pattern pieces from PDF patterns together. I write down the pattern company name, pattern # or pattern name, and a short description of the pattern ("McCalls 7254" then below it "cardigans") at the right top corner of the envelope and right side edge of the envelope. The envelopes are then stored in alphabetical order by company.
This confirms I am definitely a slut. :fish: I'd have to get paid to organise a system like that. I'll just have to put it down to the fact that if you have a creative mind you can't be arsed with the nitty gritty. I can't even keep the sewing room tidy. :fish:
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if you have a creative mind you can't be arsed with the nitty gritty.
I totally agree with you. While I like making stuff, I'm not creative and I prefer structure. :P
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I'm creative, and I find that the nitty gritty makes it easier to not fuss with everything else.
Buuut, I schedule times of the year where I overhaul the sewing studio. I made the pants for the floral contest and I have scraps of thread, ribbon and junk everywhere. Floor, cutting table, sewing machine...
And you can't come to my studio because you'd never make it through the office. I have to finish a dress because...you guessed it: I can't get to the serger and the industrial is down for repairs. Want a cuppa? Can't! I have no idea what box the Keurig crap is in! (I bought another box of coffee since I couldn't find that either. I think it's under the interfacing rolls, which is behind my industrial saddle treadle piled with several bags of I don't know with my daughter's scooter, chair and toys piled to the side while dancing with the junk my SO pushes into my area.)
In all fairness, my SO is worse then I am. And he's not creative AT ALL.
Since this is one of my regularly scheduled clean up times (I made the floral contest instead of cleaning between classes starting) before I start to work on FW collections, I expect it to be a mess. I'll have to spend a couple of weeka cleaning before I start on the SWAKOP while going to school.
I don't find clutter to be any more inspiring then tidy. Matter of fact, I don't care and it doesn't affect my own creativity. Which, hate to tell you, most of it isn't actually "creative" as it is a practice in just doing "creative" until it kind of sorta works. And then editing the hell out of it.
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And you can't come to my studio because you'd never make it through the office. I have to finish a dress because...you guessed it: I can't get to the serger and the industrial is down for repairs. Want a cuppa? Can't! I have no idea what box the Keurig crap is in! (I bought another box of coffee since I couldn't find that either. I think it's under the interfacing rolls, which is behind my industrial saddle treadle piled with several bags of I don't know with my daughter's scooter, chair and toys piled to the side while dancing with the junk my SO pushes into my area.)
I feel much better now <3
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When we bought the bookcase for the new study I got a matching cabinet with a couple of wicker drawers and a small cupboard at the bottom. Initially I was going to ditch the wicker drawers, which don't look very nice, and use the shelves for books, but as I could only get small books onto those shelves, and then found that the patterns that were in shoeboxes fitted in nicely I decided that they would be my pattern storage area. It's already nearly full :o
.pdf patterns are kept on the computer, though anything which is printed out is folded and put into a C5 envelope (the size which take A4 paper folded in half) and a printed pic of the garment stuck to the front of the envelope.
I did a lot of sewing in the 1970s and 1980s and I had four large supermarket boxes (remember when they used to give boxes away free!) stuffed full. In a rash moment about ten years ago I let Terry persuade me to send them for recycling. :\ I still have a few soft toy patterns which are shoved at the back of the cupboard containing the fabric stash. Maybe I should sort them out and offer to TSPers.
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Love that kind of storage. We have something similar only larger and wider in the conservatory (cum dumping ground for all things that should not come any further into the house). It's sure hides the rubbish. I'd been thinking of a chest of drawers or similar but the room is cramped enough with computer stuff and sewing machines. I think I'd need a major revamp before I could bring anything else in, although down for decorating next year so got time to think about it.
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Nice solution, @BrendaP , those drawers are just the right size!
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Seeing this thread and another one has made me realise I need to do something fast so I've spent some money with the intention of revamping first before the decorate next year.
I've bought this, I got something similar for the conservatory last year and this is the same make but considerably cheaper, factory clearance (love that word), and I know it is good quality.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wicker-chest-of-draws-storage-unit/332687151997?hash=item4d75b3137d:g:gwEAAOSwuDNZzNTT
It should go a long way to hiding some patterns and other stuff and taking down a table to be replaced by a slimmer one. Just need a bit of time now to play Pickfords.
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I've finally sorted my pattern storage - Ikea Tjena white boxes, size 18 x 25x15cm, at a whopping £1.50 each, and a few decorations from The Range. Leave the lid off for standing patterns up, or lid on for other things.
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Pretty! 0_0
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I recently inherited my Mom's oak filing cabinet - it's 2 drawers high but double width. It holds everything but my children's patterns (stored in a large plastic bin) and my Jalie patterns (in magazine holders). It has made a definite improvement to the room. But I need more bookcases.
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Not necessarily for pattern storage, but I've just bought some plastic shoe boxes from Home Bargain 0.89p each. I bought them originally for project boxes - I'm fed up of losing bits and pieces.
But, when I got home, i found the are the perfect size for patterns. Just need some time to sort the patterns out now!
Jessie