Now, you've done it...LOL

Yes you most certainly have done it!!! When you get finished filing yours you can come and file mine...????

I’ve filed most of my patterns by getting 4 plastc “hanging file folder” containers with flip-tops, 4 boxes of green business ‘hanging” file folders, used the labels that came with the folders and labeled the folders according to subject in alphabetical order ie. Angels, Autumn, Christmas, Landscapes.
My large thick patterns ie. HAED, Artecy I have in large 3-ring binders with each pattern in a clear ‘sheet protector’ that has the holes to keep on the 3-ring binders. If the pattern isn’t too thick I have enough room in the sheet protector to keep the pattern’s fabric with it.
Other stitchers have other good ways that work for them.

I use file boxes with hanging folders. The folders are labeled with the categories - Birds, fish, beach, holidays (each holiday has its own file folder), seasons, patriotic, wedding, baby, religious, transportation, dogs, cats, other critters. I also have a misc folder for odds & ends.

Wow, Bermuda and Nita, I envy your organizational skills. I don't have that wonderful of a system. I keep all of my cross stitch items in an old trunk. I stack the pattern books clustered together by type, i.e. animals, Christmas, etc. On top of the stacks is fabric and floss from the stash in floss boxes and neatly folded little piles on one side and on the other is the stack of kits or patterns I have kitted up. I then have on the lid of the trunk, a list of patterns by name and a list of supplies. Oh, and I have a ton of patterns on the computer that have been downloaded and saved to a thumb drive, which is also in the trunk.

I think, you should file jar wrappers under whatever you will find them the easiest. So, if when you want a Christmas jar wrapper, are you more likely to search Christmas or jar wrapper? I would probably be more likely to search jar wrapper. Just how my brain works.

The first thing I do when I get a new pattern is to scan it onto a pdf file on my computer. My folder is also uploaded to my cloud. I have a cross stitch folder on my desktop with sub folders inside, those folders are organized alphabetically by category. My hard copies of the patterns are filed in folders the same way. It gives me a master list and saves the pattern in case it is damaged or lost.

What wonderful ideas for organizing my patterns. I will definitely be rearranging my file folder and making better and easier categories! I do like the idea too of scanning the patterns and keeping on the computer in case of damage to the file folder and then also keeping a hard copy in a file folder.
Thanks so much for all the great advice!
Jacquie

I have a 2 drawer metal filing cabinet for my patterns and use hanging folders. One drawer is for my cross stitch patterns and one is for my quilting patterns. Each pattern is filed by subject such as Christmas, pets, Americana etc. I also have 3 ring binders with plastic sleeves for patterns I have gotten out of magazines. They are labeled as to type also such as cross stitch patterns, Civil War Quilts, wall hangings etc. This system has worked for me for over 25 years. My problem is I keep buying new patterns and will have to live to 120 to finish everything.

syagel,
I agree not only will I have to live much longer to be able to finish all the patterns I acquire, but I will also need a bigger file folder to hold them all. It is already bursting at the seems. I got rid of my metal file cabinets years ago and switched to an accordion file folder for important bill receipts and papers etc. With paperless being the big thing nowadays, I don't have to file as much - Thank God except my patterns. I am not sure the accordion file is going to work too well with my patterns because I will never get rid of those like I do papers after a while (they go to the shredder). My patterns will NEVER go to the shredder! May have to invest in a small file cabinet again or the plastic flip boxes like Bermuda uses. They seem like a good solution too!
Jacquie

See what I meant? Oh, brother! :)

My "filing system" conststs of "new stuff" and "old stuff". I never re-stitch anything except baby stuff. Oh, guess what? There it is! :)

You guys that buy, label, store probably wind those bobbins, too! :)