Organizing Sewing Patterns

June 5, 2013 kimberlee 1 Comment

patterns stored in clear plastic container with lid from Office Depot — patterns stored in large envelopes and clear plastic container with lid from Office Depot

Years ago I learned of this pattern storage method from a book I read called Confessions of an Organized Homemaker by Deniece Schofield. I have been using this method to store my patterns ever since as it is much more efficient than keeping them in the original small envelope.

To Store your patterns you will need:

10 x 13 envelopes
Scissors
Glue or Glue Sticks
Bankers Box or Plastic Storage Box

Here is what you do:

Remove all pattern pieces and instructions
Cut envelope down one side and the bottom so it lays out flat
Glue this cut pattern envelope to the front of large 10 x 13 envelope
Place all pattern pieces inside large envelope

pattern glued to blank envelope for more efficient storage

Now your pattern pieces fit neatly inside this larger envelope and do not get so squished up and wrinkled. It is also easier to read the pattern yardage and see the front view without having to flip it around. The patterns store perfectly inside of bankers boxes or I recently found this plastic storage box at Office Depot that has a lid and stores the patterns perfectly. The photo above at the top is of the plastic storage box. I have used the bankers boxes for years as you can tell by the wear on my box – it still has tape marks around it from when we moved 7 years ago and places where labels fell off.