Patterns. I have a love/hate relationship with my patterns. I use them daily. And when you use something daily it needs to be organized, right? So for those of you who haven’t quite found a “system” that works for you yet, maybe you can give mine a try. It’s easy, fast, inexpensive, efficient, and you probably have most of the supplies needed to make them already.
What I look for in a pattern orginazation system:
✔ Easy storage- fits on a shelf
✔ Compact- doesn’t take up a ton of space b/c I don’t have it!
✔ Durability- I get kinda spazzy when I’m sewing and I tend to “manhandle” anything I come into contact with. I knew these poor envelopes would be abused, hence the packageing tape!
✔ Easy to see and locate the patterns I need. Time is money and I lost alot of money trying to find missing patterns. Not anymore!
✔ Cuteness- because some of us are very sensitive to our surroundings and are easily distracted by uglyness and disorder. And some of us might even be a little shallow. Some of us just might feel that it is important…. what’s on the outside…
✔ My #1 requirement: EASY ACCESS. By easy access, I mean I need to be able to open the envelope and flip through it’s contents quickly. I can’t stand having to pull everything out when i really only need one little piece.
Supplies: ✄ USPS flat rate envelopes (recycle if possible) ✄ packing tape ✄ glue stick ✄ scissors ✄ labels, stickers or sticker maker and paper ✄ cute pattern ✄ marker or pen ✄
Unflap the flaps: Carefully tear flaps from body of the envelope.
Inside out: Flip envelope inside out
Seal the sides: I use packing tape because it’s durable. You can use glue or even a decorative tape if you choose!
Label: I made my own stickers using this tutorial. You can use pre-made labels or even decorative tape. (see end of post for link to free printable labels)
Customize: I used a glue stick to glue a photocopy of my pattern to the front of the envelope for easy reference. I write the mae of the designer and style on my labels. Eventually, I hope to color-code my patterns but I’m not sure if I want them organized by size, designer, gender or style yet.
You may also choose to just use a cute sticker to label your pattern and that’s it! Keep in simple.
Your new envelopes will hold several patterns with instructions. Above envelope has eight Keyka Lou handbag patterns enlosed.
Easy to take anywhere, if you need to…
Nice and neat…
Organized at last!
Resources:
Envelopes: USPS recycled flat rate envelopes
Paper/Labels: Parasol, Creature Comforts, Just Something I made
Sticker Maker: Xyron (Walmart or any craft store)
Sticker Tutorial: Natalie Jost
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Tags: diy, how-to, organization, the fabric bar, tutorial •
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