Are your patterns stuffed in containers, boxes, drawers with no order? Make your own pattern books for next to no cost and maintain them neatly and organized.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Almost everyone now keeps their photos digitally. Guess what happened to all those "magnetic cling" page photo albums? Yep, at the thrift stores in abundance. You want full size. I picked up several for $1.00 to $2.00 each with the binder! You will need scissors and tape. I used 1/2 inch masking tape.

Step 2: Making Page Pockets

Take two pages and pull down the film cover on the top page.

Match up with the second page so the binder holes are aligned.

Tape the back page to the top page on both sides, keeping the top film out of the way. You don't even need to go the full length of the side.

Flip you film back up on the top page and tape both pages together at the bottom (no holes end).

Now you have a Page Pocket. Depending on the book you have, you can make 10 to 20 Page Pockets from an album.

Did I mention this is a labor of love? Takes a little while, but great for in front of the TV time. You also want to have extra Page Pockets on hand.

Step 3: Saving Your Pattern

Take your pattern pieces and instructions out of the pattern envelope it came in.

Trim the pictures, sizes, measurements and yardage notations from the envelope. Sometimes takes creative cutting but you are going to love it when it is done.

Remember that cover film you left loose on the top page? Peel it down again and place your pictures and information on the sticky board then smooth the film back over. You now have a picture and all your sewing need information on the front of the Page Pocket. The film holds the pieces, but if you want to secure at the top corners with a little tape, you can.

Now put your pattern pieces and instructions in the inside pocket!

Bonus: No more stuffing into the original little envelope that always tears. You can fold your pattern pieces larger and the Page Pocket keeps everything neat and well protected. I now do this with every new pattern I purchase as soon as I get it home.

Step 4: Storage and Use

I use extra deep 3 ring binders. The pages fit better as they are thicker with the pattern pieces inside. Again, found them at a Thrift or can be purchased at your office supple.

You can organize your Page Patterns anyway you wish into your binders. I have a separate book for children's, adult, costumes, home décor and crafts (Yes, I need to label them yet). It is like looking at a pattern book in the store. All uniquely yours, very easy to find what you are looking for.

Another Bonus: When I need to purchase fabric for a pattern, I just open the ring binder, remove that page and take it to the store with me! Everything I need is right on the pocket. No need to stand in line to check-in my personal pattern with the courtesy desk (so they don't try to charge me for a pattern I already purchased or worse, think I am shoplifting at check out). It is obvious it didn't come out of their stock!

Hope you enjoy - please be forgiving as this is my first attempt at posting anything!