Organizing patterns and magazines - ideas for needleworkers

Although I have spent many a happy hour browsing through magazines until something catches my eye for my next project, there are times where I need to find something quickly. For example:

• Mum's birthday is fast approaching and I want to stitch her a card (but not the same one I did last year!)
• What did I stitch her last year by the way?
• Or I'd like to stitch a sampler for my new baby neice
• My friend Mike is retiring soon and is mad on cats. A cat picture would be perfect

There are many methods of organizing patterns and magazines, some easier than others.

For example Sandy Post uses an index box system, in which each project has its own card.

She lists the fabric needed (or bought) and any other items needed such as charms on her project card. She dates it when she starts stitching, and even keeps a record of the hours she has worked on the project. If she is stitching it for a gift she notes that on the card also. In addition to the project cards she has cards listing all the fabric she has bought so she can match it up with a suitable chart.

Notes on framing are also kept in the system. When she goes shopping she can just take the relevant card with her. Sandy says "This is absolutely my favorite organizational tool."

Rose-Ann has a more technological approach to organizing patterns. She uses a spreadsheet with columns for the magazine name and date, the designer, subject, size, etc.

She tells us "All WIPs & UFOs are entered with the floss being used. It was a big job to create. I keep it all on a jump drive and I print it out to binder pages a few times a year - especially if I'm going shopping! "

My method of organizing patterns and magazines

I also use the computer for organizing patterns. I find it easier to search with a mouse button than by going through all my magazine files. I use a handy little program called Personal Knowbase to help me.

I'll explain how I use it and let you decide if you think it would be useful for you.

I have set up a mini knowbase file for demonstration purposes as my own file is getting quite large and may make organizing patterns look more complicated than it really is.

Let us go back to my mum's forthcoming birthday. I have decided I want to stitch her a card, as I do each year. Obviously I want it to be different from any I have stitched her before. The first picture below shows the designs I have already entered into the system.

The trick to this system of organizing patterns is to jot down anything I think will give me a hint about the design when I search in the future. The size may be useful, a brief description of the picture, the subject or theme, who I think may like it and so on. I add keywords to help me narrow down my choices. You may notice that I have included fairy and fairies in my keyword list on the left, as well as bunnies and rabbits. It never hurts to have too many keywords.

Let me give you one more example.

My sister in law recently had a baby girl, Beth. I want to stitch her a baby sampler so I open up Knowbase again. This time I will click on "baby" or "babies" in the left hand keyword list. Again my choice is narrowed to three.

There are specialised programs available for keeping a database of floss and patterns if you want to keep even more information. I find them a bit too rigid though.

Whichever system you use, it is sure to help you save time searching and give you more time to stitch. Sounds good to me!

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Learn tips to organize your stash
Check out ways of organizing embroidery floss
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