Hi I make a folder for each Designer and keep all there designs with pictures in it
I find this helps and also do this on my back up hard drive
Hope this helps it will be good to see what other do as well

Hello Tinfriend, When you search for dates in Explorer, you see the numbers or the images depending on how you set the view. Fortunately, many design sellers show that the file you want to buy already bought with date..... me is also already happened that I bought a file twice, with the companies I look before the purchase again... I have a huge directory, once all files stored under the company name and in addition all files in a specific folder, for example, cats to cats, applications to applications and so on, now over a hundred directories, so I see at first glance whether I have the right file or buy... Collecting embroidery files is a search - LOL
HUGS, Maria

I think my system is like Marias. I have 2 major categories/Folders. Each one has subfolders. One I call "Designs by Company " which will have subfolders for them. That makes it easier when you contemplate to purchase to check if you already own it.
The other main Category is "Organized by subject" with multiple subfolders. That makes it easier to find a specific file, like Butterflies without trying to figure out where I had bought them.

This system will have all your files duplicated, but at least I can find what I need.

My system is similar to what was written below. But you do not want to open your files and have a look there? Did I understand that right? You want a excel or word document? For this you would have to type the name of the designs, but the picture makes the document not so easy to keep actual. I tried that in the beginning and stopped it. That would double the work. Not only put the designs in the right folders but also type it into a document. I think it is easier for me, to have a look at the pictures of the designs in my files.

I wish you a good decision how to organize your designs.

I save mine by country of origin, find this easier. Also if you belong to a particular designer they usually tell you if you have already purchase a design. Kreative Kiwi is an example.

Hope this helps

I'm keeping an eye on these suggestions. Currently mine are filed by website, but some designers are on multiple websites, so that is not ideal, plus I'd like to be able to look for a design by subject and or type (filled, applique, etc). I'm thinking I might need the double file system. Thanks for asking the question tinfriend and thanks to all those who are answering.

Sorry, I just use file by company and item (angels, beach, children, etc). So, it is one big file with many sub-files. I hope you are able to find a better solution because mine could use improvement!! What I really need to do is go through my files and delete the designs that I know I will never use! I wish you the best in your endeavor! Hugs!

I think most of us have software that helps us to file by designer and then by categories. We can see a picture of the design when we click on it. I'm not sure if you are using software like this. I think you have a good idea of how you want to organize your designs but looking for other ideas. I'm not sure if any of us use Excel or Word to list our design stash so I would be interested to see what you come up with.

I'm really not a lot of help but I'll try. I used to put all of my designs in a word document so I could search easily. Unfortunately I got behind AND I had a problem with DropBox syncing to my computer so some of the documents got lost.
What I've been doing lately is adding to the name of each design with words that tag them so I can search in the folder they are in. I have folders by type of design (Alpha, Hearts, Sports etc.) and I have some designs in folders by designers. The designs are in the folders with a jpeg that is labeled the same as the design. I can still search the whole folder or just 1 folder. I can also browse the photos.

When I started doing ME, I could never find a design! So, it took me a long time to set up my system and sort everything into it's proper place. I'm so glad that someone told me to do that years ago when I first started doing ME. I have folders for:

AUTHOR Every site I've purchased from

TOPIC (and sub folders in that, I.e. Insects: bees insects ants, or
winter snowflakes, winter snowman, winter snowflakess

ARCHIVE everything I've stitched out

CUSTOMER LIST a folder for each person I'm made something for

WORKING ON: all projects in process

I also keep a folder for things I think of doing: IDEAS GIFTS. Some things go in more than one folder. Everything that goes in Author also has to go in Topics

Everyone has their own way of organizing designs. My way can be time consuming. But I often forget where I put a design, and now I know how to find it. You have to find way that works for you.

Hi Tinfriend. I have been looking at Excel to how it can be done, it is not quick, but it is possible. The photo below is an example. Sorry it did not turn out very good. if you would like more help, please let me know.

Thank you to everyone - I will comment further at a later date and explain further - at the moment I have a family crisis so this is the last thing on my mind! HUGS