How to Organize Cross Stitch Patterns

Avid cross stitchers know how those multitudes of patterns end up in messy piles on the work table, floor, in the closet and on every clear inch of shelf space. You may also end up with duplicates, because without a little organization, who remembers if you have that particular pattern, and if you do, it is probably easier to buy another one than it is to find the one you think you already have. Filing your cross stitch patterns is an easy way to keep track of those patterns and have them at hand when they are needed.

• 1

  Categorize your patterns. This is solely dependent upon your preferences, but some ideas are to categorize by type, such as animal, flowers, buildings or landscapes, by season, or by special occasion. For instance, a cross stitch pattern for a Christmas wall-hanging featuring a kitten poking out of a stocking might either be categorized under "Animals" or "Holidays."

• 2

  Label a divider for each of your categories and place them in a file drawer. Alphabetize the dividers for better organization.

• 3

  Label your file folders alphabetically if they are not already labeled. Place folders from A to Z into each category.

• 4

  Alphabetize the patterns in each category and file them accordingly.