Cleaning up my patterns
I've been feeling a little sensitive since
being called a hoarder, so I have been cleaning and organizing like crazy! One area I had to conquer was my desk drawer that holds all of my patterns. Clearly, I wasn't storing my patterns properly or effectively. Totally an embarrassing photo, but I'm not going to lie to you guys!
Last week I went to the store and bought four plastic bins. Just on a random note, growing up I worked in a deli and these bins were used to store cheese, so I think of them as cheese bins :) When they're not storing cheese they are perfect for holding patterns and I had a spare shelf to hold all four.
I organized my patterns into four groups (left to right): modern dress patterns, vintage or vintage reproduction patterns, separates, and random stuff (dog coats, bags, etc).
Doing this clean up forced me to take a closer look at my patterns, which was good. It is now very clear to me that I have lots of dress patterns, which isn't the most practical because I don't wear dresses on a regular basis. One of my goals will be to make more separates.
Sorting through patterns forced me to get rid of the ones I didn't even want. You guys know how it is, people will give you stuff "because you sew" and sometimes you don't even really want it. The 90s patterns that I was "gifted" went to the thrift store. Trust me, if there were any cool ones you know that I would give them to you guys!!
How often do you go through your patterns and organize? Hopefully this system will last me for a while.
I use the 16 gallon bins because I can close the lid if I turn the patterns on their sides. Important because my sewing area is in our basement. For bigger patterns like Vogue, I use a bigger bin.
ReplyDeleteI really need a pattern storage system. Mine is abysmal, they're all over the place!
ReplyDeleteGood job sorting them out :)
I kept putting it off, but I'm glad that I did it!
DeleteI don't have enough patterns to require a real system yet, but for print at home patterns, I've been putting all the pieces in a large manila envelope and writing the details on the outside. Your bins look nice and neat! Is Frankie getting a dog coat?? :)
ReplyDeleteI also use the manilla folders for the random patters. My desk drawer (the overflowing one in the photo above) fits the file folders perfectly!
DeleteWhen I was at JoAnns the dog coat pattern was on sale for $1. I would like to make her something... but you know how that goes!
That is a lot of patterns! Hehe. And don't worry about being a hoarder - I think it comes with the hobby - you have to hoard because you never know when inspiration will jump out on you and by hoarding you always have the appropriate tools and fabric to make magic happen when it does :D xXx
ReplyDeleteVery true!!! I like how you think :)
DeleteI just organized my patterns a couple weeks ago. I bought some plastic bins with lids to store them in. I so wish I had a space to set mine out like this.
ReplyDeleteGo Shanni! Doesn't it feel so good to be so clean and organized?
DeleteI use those same plastic bins for my patterns too! And ahhh, I definitely have WAY too many. Organizing them by type helped. I keep acquiring more, though. I can't help it - they are just so beautiful, and who else is going to save & protect them from the dump?? Ahhh!!
ReplyDeleteYes, you are preserving history, Lauren!! :)
DeleteUuuugh you're making me feel guilty! I've been staring at my two, overflowing, boxes of patterns all weekend. I seriously cleaned my craft room this weekend but deliberately avoided those boxes as I can't bring myself to look at them. I could definitely be classified as a pattern hoarder at this point. :-o
ReplyDeleteOrganize! You will feel so good when you do! xo
DeleteOhh I know the felling. I spent the weekend organising my sewing stuff and I got so much repeated gadgets and equip, patterns with similar design.. I'm de cluttering too and it feels great.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm feeling a little guilty for picking up those vintage patterns this weekend because my current pattern stash is in a similar state lol! I like your "cheese bins" because they're clear. Mine are in those fabric cubby hole bin things so they're easily forgotten. I should go through all my patterns too! p.s. you're totally not a hoarder!
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by your bins! My patterns are a mess too, I really should get them in better order.
ReplyDeleteOh, you're so nice and neat! Love it! I need to get organized-- my patterns are all jammed into a dresser drawer, but there really isn't enough room for them and it's a total mess!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the push to clean up my own pattern storage. I will be posting some of my progress tomorrow. Hope you don't mind, I linked to your blog on my post today. Have a great day!
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