How should I store my sewing patterns?

Store patterns flat or rolled rather than crammed back into the envelope, and label everything the moment you put it away.

The envelope problem. Tissue pieces never refold to the size they came out at, and forcing them back tears them at the folds. Use a larger envelope, a document wallet, a resealable bag or a labelled box file instead. Keep the original envelope inside it — the line drawings, the measurement chart and the fabric requirements are the parts you need again.

Label the traced pieces, every one, with the pattern name, the piece name and number, the size, the seam allowance and the date. Unlabelled tracings become indistinguishable within a year.

Flat, rolled or hanging. Flat in a wide shallow drawer is best. Rolled in a tube works well for large pieces and takes little space. Hanging on trouser hangers with clips is popular and keeps everything visible. Folding is the worst of the options, because creases across a pattern piece distort it.

Note the adjustments you made on the envelope or on a card inside — the size, the alterations, the fabric used and what you would change. That note is worth more than the pattern the second time round.

For PDFs, keep the original file, and store the assembled paper copy with a note of the layer and size printed. Keep a backup, because purchased downloads are not always available again.

Keep a simple index — a spreadsheet or a notebook — with pattern, size and whether you have traced it. Duplicate purchases are the usual sign it is missing.