How to Organize Digital Sewing Patterns Using Pattern Record Cards
What are pattern record cards?
Pattern record cards are exactly what they sound like. They're a way to keep a record of your sewing patterns. They give you an easily accessible overview of the pattern in your own words.
Why are pattern record cards necessary?
One word. Organization. Everyone from corporate patternmakers to beginner seamstresses use pattern record cards. On the corporate end of the spectrum, companies use them to organize different styles and sizes. They don't keep them for all of their patterns, but mainly for their slopers, which are basic patterns that a variety of styles can be created from.
For the at-home seamstress, pattern record cards are a great way to organize both digital and print sewing patterns for future use. They act as a way to summarize the pattern, so you can easily recall what the pattern entails.
What is included on a pattern record card?
Pattern record cards come in many different styles, so it's important to find one suited to your needs. Some things that all pattern record cards include are:
- Project Details: This includes everything from the season, sample size, size range, company or designer and style name. These are important to include so you can remember your preferred size and key information about the pattern.
- Fabric Information: It's important to know what fabric is suitable for the pattern. Writing this on the pattern record card is a quick way to determine if a pattern will work well with your fabric of choice.
- Trim Information: This is where all the trims like zippers, buttons and hook & eyes are listed. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I get started on a project and realize I'm missing something as simple as a zipper. Having the trims and notions listed out clearly helps me avoid this issue.
- Pattern Pieces: Think of a puzzle. It's so disappointing when you get to the final few pieces and realize you're one piece short. This part of the pattern record card helps you avoid that issue by ensuring you have all of the necessary pieces.
- Technical Flat: I'm a visual person, and my husband definitely is too. You can pretty much guarantee he has no idea what I'm talking about if I try to describe a new pattern to him. By including a technical flat (or picture of the pattern), I can just show him (and myself) a picture of the pattern so we can both visualize what I'll be making.
Like I said, all pattern record cards are different based on your needs. I've been sewing for quite a while, so I've found specific areas missing from the majority of pattern record cards. Some bonuses I added to my pattern record cards include:
- Fabric Column: Some pattern record cards don't have this column. They expect you to use different colors to pair with the fabric (Black: self fabric; Red: interfacing; Green: Lining). I personally don't have multiple colors of writing utensils on hand, so having an area where I can list out what fabric is needed for each piece helps a ton. If you're a color person though, by all means, use colors to sort your fabric types.
- Construction Details: I can never recall the seam allowance for patterns, even the ones I personally designed. Having a space for this is so helpful, rather than digging through the pattern to find it.
- Notes: By the time I'm done with a pattern, it is always littered with notes. Having a space for notes is important to me so I can better organize my thoughts. For more ideas on what to add in the notes section, check out my tips at the bottom of this post.
How can pattern record cards help organize my patterns?
Using Pattern Hooks:
This is the industry standard to avoid creases in patterns. They're also easily accessible when a style needs to be referenced. For this method you'll need:
-Pattern Record Cards (Free)
-Rabbit Hole Punch (Full disclosure, these things are expensive, so I just cut a 3/4" circle with scissors)
- Punch a single hole towards the top of each pattern piece.
- Punch a single hole at the top of the pattern record card.
- Place the pattern and pattern record card (with the pattern record card face out) on the pattern hook.
- Hang for easy storage.
Using Manilla Envelopes:
This is my favorite method for storing patterns, because I don't have much hanging space to use pattern hooks. It also takes up the least amount of space. For this method you'll need:
-Pattern Record Cards (Free)
-Manilla Envelopes (Make sure they have the metal tab and not the tape closure.)
- Use double sided tape to tape the pattern record card to a manilla envelope.
- Fold the pattern pieces to fit in the manilla envelope.
- Close the envelope and store.
BONUS: Tips and tricks for getting the most out of pattern record cards.
- Something many independent pattern makers include in their patterns is their contact information. I always add this to the notes section in case I come across questions while sewing a project. It's also a great way to show them my results after sewing one of their patterns. They may even give me a shout out on social media! ;)
- When you start a new sewing pattern, print out a pattern record card with it. You'll be able to take notes during the sewing process rather than trying to remember everything after it's been completed.
- Keep a general idea of how long it takes you to sew a pattern by timing yourself. Use the notes section of the pattern record card to record that so you know what to expect when making it in the future.
- Instead of drawing a technical flat, print out a picture of the pattern and tape that in the technical flat area. It can save you a lot of time!
- Include a swatch of fabric with your stored pattern by stapling it to the pattern record card. This way you can remember the fabric you previously used.
How are you using your pattern record cards? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Sewing,
