Pattern Perfect

 Quilters are always willing to share their experiences and expertise.  I posted a question on my group asked members how they filed, sorted, dealt with all their patterns.  I have a pile of them and, as most are not organized, I don't use them.  If I do want to find one, it usually involves a lot of frustration.  One of the best replies I received was from Keitha.  I thought you might like to see what she said.  

Long story short one day I woke up and said I must purge which I started. I looked at each pattern or magazine and asked why I liked this one- was it the colour scheme, the subject matter and so on. If I made them all, what would I do with the quilts? Who would want them when I passed on?Now, what I do with my quilt patterns is this; I try not to purchase magazines which in the beginning was difficult. Instead I go to the fabric manufacturer's sites and download free patterns which are usually in PDF form. Beside that file I post a picture of the pattern. 

 I also am on several blogs which post patterns in PDF form.

  So, when I need a pattern I go to the folder, search for the technique I want to use and search by picture. It is easy and fast. Sometimes I only download a picture because I liked the layout, colour scheme etc. Every once in awhile I go to a folder and find out what I can delete for whatever reason. Seeing a screen of pictures is so much better then leafing through pages in MHO.(my humble opinion)

I think one of the key suggestions is to get rid of what you will never use-purge is the work Keitha used.  I know I have a stack of loose patterns that I will not make.  I am not even thinking about the magazines at this point. So that is where I am going to start.  I don't think it will be right away but if we have a power outage it will be a perfect project.

Blessings,