Looking for Pattern Storage Nirvana

I mentioned in a previous post that I enjoy seeking improvements in the organization and décor of my Sewing Room, and so both have kept my thoughts preoccupied over the summer.  I shared with you that one of my biggest challenges is storing my collection of sewing patterns and how my storage “system” has gone through an evolutionary process, progressing from a discarded store display cabinet up to the pattern storage boxes I purchased from Hancock Fabrics some years back.  These purchased boxes are working, but the problem I have is they can accommodate “just so many” patterns.

As you can see, I have each one labeled with a pattern category, and some of them are at full capacity – I cannot fit one more pattern into the box!



Storage box at full capacity.

Also, I cannot add another box to the shelves without moving it to another area of the room, which is not ideal.  I am one of those a-place-for-everything-and-everything-in-its-place type people so I need organization for activities like sewing, which rely heavily on quick access to a wide variety of tools and notions.  I’m also somewhat frugal (thank you, Mommy!) and always looking for ways to get a job done for the best possible price – preferably free!  So, I’m often thinking about how this system can be improved.

In May, my family and I went to the Motor City Comic Convention (Comic Con).  If you ever get a chance to attend a Comic Con, I highly recommend doing so.  It’s a fun time, if for no other reason than to people-watch.  While there, I noticed that all of the comic book vendors stored their comics in these really neat lidded boxes.  Some of them were very deep, and I thought “Wow!  This may work for my patterns!”

So, when we returned home, I went online and was able to find a couple of sources for these boxes.  The width and height were perfect, and they were even available in a variety of depths – “COOL!!”  But, my enthusiasm was curbed when I saw the price – they sold for approximately $6 each.  Given the approximate number of boxes I’d need, it would cost me at least $60 to purchase these boxes – way outside of my target price range.

So, I started thinking about how I could create boxes like these, given my specific storage needs and cost demands.  The solution – the cartons which are used to ship printer paper in bulk.

Once the paper is used, these cartons are usually discarded.  My sense of frugality was well satisfied – what’s better than free?  So, after playing around with cutting and pasting, I was able to scale-down the carton size so it could accommodate my patterns and still sit neatly on the shelf with a little over-hang.

The next consideration was decorating the box so it would be visually pleasing and still fit in with any future décor changes I may want to make.  I used some fabric I had on-hand to cover and line the first box, but I realized that it would not be enough to cover all of the boxes I’d need, and the cost to purchase more fabric to cover these boxes didn't seem worth the investment.

Also, I was concerned about the fabric being so dark and the affect it would have on the room’s lighting, not to mention other issues like dust, fading, coordination with future décor choices, etc.  So, I wanted to go with a lighter-colored design choice which still fell in line with my need for minimal cost.

Well, suffice it to say that I could not find a fabric option which met my design and cost needs, so I decided to do a form of decoupage instead.  I found some fabric “art” online and used it to create decorative paper which I printed and glued to the box. 

Isn't "she" pretty?

I also bought a supply of pipe-fitting clamps from Lowe’s which I used as an extremely inexpensive box handle (thanks for this great idea Sew Many Ways), and – Tada!! – I have new pattern storage boxes, each of which can hold approximately 33% more than my Hancock boxes.

I've since added felt to the box to "pretty up" the bottom.

So, I’ll be converting over to my newly developed – and cheap – storage system.  I think I’ve finally achieved pattern storage nirvana!!  Tell me what you think.

Be blessed!

Aisha