How to Store Your Craft Sewing Patterns (So Nothing Gets Lost 👌)
Have you ever accumulated so many patterns that you finally decided to print them? You print them, cut them out, and you feel so proud because yes, today you are organised. Then you look at the pile and ask yourself, what do I do next? Where do I put them 🤔?
Do I put them into a box? The problem is simple. They will all get mixed between each other. And if you work with small, tiny elements, they are so easy to lose. With big patterns like underwear and clothes it is much easier, but craft patterns with lots of small pieces are a different story.
If you are thinking how to reorganise your current collection, or you are about to print a new batch and want the best way to store them, you are in the right place.
Hi, I’m Alyona. I have a countless amount of sewing patterns and craft patterns at home because I make them 🙈😂. Welcome to my BusinkaMania world, and in this article I want to share my everyday way of storing patterns.
Why Boxes and Containers Didn’t Work for Me
I tried different ways. I tried storing patterns in boxes, and I even bought small containers. Every time it ended with the same issue. I never had enough space.
There is only so much you can accommodate with boxes and storage containers. Patterns start mixing, small parts slide under bigger ones, and once you open the box a few times, everything turns into a messy puzzle. Not a cute puzzle either.
That’s when I stopped fighting with boxes and switched to a system that is simple, affordable, and actually keeps everything together.
Pocket Folders Are My Favourite Storage System
My solution is using a Pocket Folder For Pattern Keeping. I know they are not officially made for patterns, but honestly, they should be. They make pattern storage so much easier.
First, you can choose different sizes. You can start with A4, then go to A3, A2, A1, and you can really go wild. Second, you can buy many folders and separate your patterns by collection. Farm animals in one folder, domestic animals in another folder, maybe a dino collection in a third folder. With this system, it is all possible, and it stays affordable ☝️.
And it is not only about storing patterns. What I love is how it helps me work in advance.
How I Store Patterns and Cut Pieces Together
Sometimes I work in advance because I’m in the mood to cut as many patterns as I can. It saves me time later. When you start outlining, then cutting, before you even get into sewing or crafting, you can get exhausted. And some days you just want to sit and create, not do the administrative job first.
So I pre cut, especially the small elements you use constantly over and over again. My folder has multiple pages, so I cut my pattern and place it inside. I also love to print my pattern in double. One copy is ready for use, and another stays as a presentation page so I can visually see how everything looks and how many elements I have.
It also becomes my backup. If something gets spoiled, squeezed, torn, or just too used, I already have another printed page. I can cut the element again without reprinting everything. It is two in one, visual organisation and a backup plan.
Example: Giraffe Pattern and Monthly Project Planning
Let’s say I am working on a giraffe. I take the Giraffe Felt Sewing Pattern, and I place the pattern into a pocket. If I have pre cut felt elements for it, I place those pre cut elements into the same pocket, together with the pattern I outlined from. This is very cool and comfortable to use later.
It becomes even better if you plan ahead. I do this a lot. Let’s say you set yourself a goal for the month, for example, to create 15 plushies. You sit down, pre cut all 15 patterns, and store each set of pre cut pieces with its pattern in the folder. Then when time is squeezing you, you can quickly flip through and see exactly how many projects you have left and how many you have done.
When elements are not pre cut, it is so easy to tell yourself, I’ll do it later, I’ll sew it later. Then at the end you feel disappointed because you set a goal and didn’t finish it. With this method, you can even track your pace. If you decide to make one plush every two days, you can see your progress clearly. And if you need to speed up, you will know it straight away.
Felt Details, Repeating Elements, and Testing My Own Patterns
This system works for repeating elements too, especially when cutting tiny parts is boring. Think about eyes shape, or the small marks on a creature. If it is a dinosaur and it has small marks, you might need to cut lots of tiny circles out of felt. Sometimes it is nicer to pre cut a lot of those elements and keep them in the pocket, ready to grab.
It also does not really matter if it is soft felt or stiff felt. I use both in my creations, and I store both the same way. Pattern and pieces together in one place, so nothing disappears.
What I Do With Patterns I’m Still Working On
Right now, for example, I am working on a LoL doll pattern 🙂. And of course, before releasing any pattern onto my website, I always test it first. I create it, print it, and sew it myself because I don’t want you to get frustrated while using my pattern 🙅♀️.
And this is exactly where the folder system helps a lot. While I am testing, I store the printed pattern inside the pocket folder together with the felt pieces I cut for testing ✂️. If I need to correct something, everything is in one place. I don’t lose pieces, I don’t mix parts with other projects, and I can clearly see what version I am working on 👀.
If something feels uncomfortable while sewing, I adjust the pattern. Because if it is not comfortable for me, it will not be comfortable for you either ✅. Once I am happy with it, only then do I release it 💛.
A Little Gift for You and What’s Next:
If you want to see the type of patterns I make, you can browse my Sewing Patterns Collection. And before I finish, I want to share one of my free pattern with you too. If you use it, please leave a comment. If you make it, or you are about to make it, I would genuinely love to know what you think about my patterns.
And one more thing before you go. My next article will also be useful if you are in the craft creation world. It is about glue guns, because I have changed so many glue guns over the years, wasted so much money, and yes, I regret it. If you want to avoid the same pain, go and read What is The Best Glue Gun for Crafting.
For now, I say goodbye, and I’ll see you in my next one. Bye 👋.
