Organizational idea for seamstresses

[moderator]

If you're like me, you have patterns for doll things in a big pile! Mine were in a drawer with doll clothing, taking up extra room. Today I finally decided to take a spare plastic bin and organize them.

To do this, find a bin that is as wide/tall as your largest pattern, placed on its side. I alphabetized the patterns, divided into categories by the dolls they are for (since I sew for multiple dolls). If you only have AG patterns, you might like to divide them instead by categories like dresses, pants, tops etc.

Make paper labels taller than the patterns, and place them in front of the patterns that fit that category.

Now I'll be able to find patterns so much faster! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[marymax]

that is such a good idea I am going to try that ...any organization in my sewing room would help

[moderator]

It also helped because as I sorted through them, I took inventory of what patterns I'd never used, writing down the names on a piece of paper to keep with the patterns. It was much less than I thought (I think only three patterns out of all of them!). It felt great to get organized! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

[sewfancydolldesigns]

Great organizational skills! I must admit, that's not my strong point. My sewing area has to be neat and tidy, but my patterns are all thrown in an under-the-bed plastic box willy nilly.

Patricia

[AGcrazy]

Wow Patricia, your sewing area really is great! You weren't kidding when you said it's neat. Mine is well, let's just say it's findable, LOL! I can't stand things to get piled so I do have to weed every day. I guess I would say my patterns are probably in better shape than the actual sewing space is. When it gets too nuts, I go on a cleaning/straightening spree! [img]eek.gif[/img]

[moderator]

Oh, sewing corners--you lucky ducks! I just have an inexpensive free-standing machine (not connected to a table or anything), so I have to clear space to use it. Patricia, your corner looks so cute. I love how you have the dolls displayed alongside the dress form.

[American_Mommy]

I use a similar method, but being a geek by nature, I pick up white, cardboard comic book storage boxes at my local comic shop. They are the perfect size for patterns.They come in a couple of different lengths, and are very inexpensive.
I also bag my patterns with comic bags.I leave the pattern pieces for my current and upcoming projects in the outerbag, so I do not have to hunt for them when I am ready. After I sew, they go back in the envelope.

[AGcrazy]

Oooh I love those comic book files! I've bought older patterns from ebay for Barbie and some of them have come in those files with the white card in back and the cello bag. I never thought of getting them for the rest of the patterns. It sure would keep them neater and they'd slide right out of the box when you went to pull one. Good idea! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] It would take care of my need to keep pattern pieces a little handier than inside the envelope yet put away and not getting lost.

[JuliaAM]

The comic book files sound interesting. I'll have to look for them. I use very few cardboard boxes for storage though because we've had water damage too many times and I've lost items stored in cardboard boxes. Also, cardboard creates a lot of dust so we sneeze less when there aren't as many paper/cardboard items around. [img]wink.gif[/img] Plastic bins keep things dry and I can see through the sides of bins so I know what's inside.

Melissa, I've keep my patterns in the Sterlite 58 Gallon size bins. It's a pain to look for a specific patten in such a big bin stuffed to the top with patterns though. I like your organizing/cataloging ideas for the patterns. That sounds great.

Julia