First, I divide out adults and kids. After that, in each group, I put whole body patterns, such as dresses, jumpers, jumpsuits, pajamas or coats to the front. Then I go top (Sweaters, sweatshirts, blouses, camisoles) to bottom (skirts, pants). Men's patterns and costumes and crafts, such as pillows or aprons have a separate drawer. Company name doesn't matter to me at all! Your talk about secret places reminds me of my sewing friend who says her hubby has no idea how many places she has fabric yardage hidden. There's a reason we call our storages "stashes".

Hi Suzanna, I'm just ANAL and file them by the Company name with the pattern number being in numerical sequence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love Chris

Mine are sorted in pattern boxes by size - Infant sizes, Toddlers, Children sizes, Adult sizes, Costumes, Crafts (includes home dec, aprons, and sewing related projects and totes and bags, and finally Christmas has its own box. These boxes have file dividers where I have written things like 3 - 6 months, 9-12 months, Baby Toys, etc. I had originally bought the boxes at Joann's but they aren't available there - but can now be ordered through Nancy's Notions or Annie's Craft Store.

I'm very lucky to have a large basement. I have my sewing patterns in an old fashion, large 3 drawer dresser. Craft and adult in first. Kids and halloween costumes 2 drawer. Misc. in 3rd drawer. They have been in there since the 70"s.

Having been a dressmaker for almost 50 years, I find myself with many, many patterns! The method that has worked well for me is to place pattern envelopes in sheet protectors and 3 ring notebook, with a notebook (or tab) for each category – i.e. Tops, Bottoms, Dresses, Menswear, Children, Crafts, etc., narrowing it down with tabs as needed. Patterns are placed in ziplock bags and filed numerically in a box or filing cabinet by company brand. This system allows for browsing through notebooks for inspiration, with corresponding patterns easily located. When filing the ziplock bags, be sure to put instruction sheet with sketch facing out for quick identification.

If you have an Ikea near you check out their cardboard boxes. I saw some today not fancy just brown cardboard but the correct size for patterns.
It is Pappis and $1.49 25cm x34 cm x26 cm.
You have to fold it into shape but a lot cheaper than others.
It could easily be tarted up to look pretty.