I thought I might share another great tip that helps me when sewing doll clothes patterns and you may find that you can adapt this tip to use for your everyday sewing too.
As I have soooo many doll clothes patterns, just like we all do, I have found the best way for me to keep them all organized is to have a display folder for each doll size. In these folders are plastic sleeves and I store one pattern per sleeve labeling the top right hand corner with the name of the pattern. I have little sticky labels now that I stick on and write the name of the pattern on but in the past I have just used a Texta to write directly onto the plastic sleeve.
Organizing Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns by Label
Now that my patterns have the picture of the outfit on the instructions page, put this page on the top and you will have both a written description and a visual picture of what the pattern is and won’t even need to write on the plastic sleeve so you can rearrange the patterns easily at any time.
Organizing Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns by Picture
You may find that you have so many patterns that you need a separate folder for ‘Tops’ and one for ‘Bottoms’ or one for ‘Summer’ and one for ‘Winter’. Having a different color folder for each size doll or type of pattern also makes it really easy to identify and access your patterns quickly.
It really doesn’t matter how you decide to categorize them, but using the display book and labeling each pages helps so much when looking for your patterns.
Happy Sewing
Oh Rosie, thank you for letting me know about storing my patterns. I have some in a clear containers, some in a wicker basket, and other places. I can never find what I am looking for. You just made my night and I can’t wait to get to Walmart tomorrow. Question: Do you put all the instruction sheets in separate sheets following the patterns? If so, just that one pattern would take up alot of pages. I would like to know before I go shopping. How many patterns do you average in one book? Wondering how many books to buy.
Oh, I am just so excited. I feel I have gotten the most uniquie patterns and ideas from you and all the way from Austrailia! Let me know when it is convenient for you. Have a good night, Judy Jewison
Hi Judy, It is great to hear that I have been able to help you get your patterns organized. I usually put all the pattern pieces together with the instructions in the one plastic sleeve and each one of the folders that I have has about 20 plastic sleeves so can hold 20 patterns. I have different colored display books for each different size doll and 2 – 3 books per doll size. I label the spine with the size doll and what is in it eg. 18″ Bedtime / Winter so once you have decided how to categorize your patterns just label the spine. Good luck!
Hello Rosie. This is a wonderful idea, and one I’ve used for a long time. I also knit and crochet and have folders for those downloaded patterns too. I have separate ones for American Girl clothes and one for Barbie. When I want something specific, all I have to do is go to the correct binder that has a lable on the spine. I know that many of your followers will love this fantastic idea. I know that I do. Happy sewing!
Hi Ann, Thanks for letting me know that you also use this system for keeping your patterns organized. I would be so lost without these folders. Could you please let my other American friends know where you get your folders from?
Hi, could you be more specific about these folders? I shop online mostly because when I go into stores they seldom have what I am looking for. Online I do much better and save on gas. I did a search for display folder, I found nothing like what you show here. Help!
Thanks
Hi Denise, In Australia we can get these plastic display books at Stationery stores, variety stores and the stationery section of our local supermarket and they are really very cheap. I had a quick look on Google and found Especially Office had these folders available. I hope this helps.
Thanks ever so much!
Hello Rosie,
I have previouslypurchased your how to sew dolls course and sadly at that time there was no picture with the patterns. Is it possible to get a copy of them now? And by the way the folders are a great idea, I also do that.
Thank you Maureen.
Hi Maureen, Yes you can certainly reprint your pattern instructions with the pictures on them. Simply log in, select the pattern/s you wish to reprint from the left hand menu and click on ‘Steps to complete your outfit’. A new page will appear with the links to the PDF pattern pieces and PDF instructions. Click on the PDF Pattern instructions link to download them again. Save them to your computer and print them out. You will not have to download the pattern pieces again as these have not changed. Happy Sewing, Rosie.