Thursday, June 07, 2012

Filing My Sewing Patterns

Today saw all my sewing patterns consolidated at last into one set of filing cabinets. The Composer went to a business estate sale, and brought me home a five-drawer unit and two two-drawer units, and I have emptied my hall closet and filled it with filing cabinets and then mostly filled the cabinets with patterns.

I have about nine drawers of patterns, not stuffed very full. That's a lot. I will never buy another one, even if they just cost a dime, like many of these.

Now that I own a pattern for a 1930s gardening smock, with a sun hat, I don't need anything else, anyway.

10 comments:

Lady Farmer said...

I have been looking for a garden smock pattern for awhile now. Oh, joy! You've found one with a sun hat! Love it! Hope you show it one day soon!

Polly said...

Oh, I love this!!! (And I don't feel so badly about having SO many patterns now, either...) How did you organize them within the cabinets? This is my biggest challenge. I have so many; right now they are boxed by decade, with children's patterns actually set apart (and there are only a zillion of those....), and my modern patterns in another (tiny) bin. I feel overwhelmed just thinking about how to organize them really strategically. For now I just dive into a decade box if I need something. One day I dream of cataloging....

Anyhow, your pattern collection and organization sound marvelous!! treasures.

Lily said...

It is lovely to have so many old patterns. I have become family 'custodian' of all the old knitting and crochet patterns. Some of them are for items from the early 1940s ranging right up to the present day. They are real treasures. I particularly love your 1950s patterns - it is my favourite era for clothes. lily. xxx

Holly said...

Ha Ha! Indeed! You may need more recital dress patterns suitable for an up-and-coming cellist, however. I love your posts, Anna. You are a very clever, funny writer. I still say you need to do a daytimer calendar or something.

kath said...

I have about 9 file boxes packed tightly on a wire rolling shelving rack in my sewing room and I desperately need to start a couple of new boxes. The patterns are all sorted into categories so I can find things pretty easily. I have been trying to buy patterns for things that aren't widely used and tend to be discontinued fairly quickly, like an American Flag pattern, opera gloves, hats, and Christening outfits, which are my favorites. My goal is to use every single pattern!

GoofingOff said...

I love the old patterns you have. I have a soft spot for the 1930's and 40's.
I bought a file cabinet with the same intention then found out I needed 4 more...and only found 3.
Because I sell patterns I organize them according to brand then by number, except for the craft patterns...the toys, handbags, and such. Those are separate. Costume patterns are separate, too.

Tina Foster said...

Sounds like your Etsy shop just might need to expand a little. :)

Kate said...

I am with Tina! If you have any 1940's patterns you don't want anymore, I can give them a good home.

The Hobbit said...

Oh! Please let us know if you succeed at NEVER buying another pattern. A dear friend of mine collects cookbook and she has swore never to buy another except for the one she recently found while on a quilt crawl.

Kathleen said...

I can't wait to see what you create with the garden smock pattern.

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