I take a photo of everything I sew for others, even if it is a present then I know that I will never duplicate.

I never did before but thanks for your info I will now take notes and pics and make a 'customer'Folder.
Thank you for good Ideas!
From Bev

People come to me and choose colours here - I have too many to take to them - let them choose the designs they want or discuss a design to be made. I either send them a computer generated picture to make sure it's what they wanted.
I keep a file named 'customers' on my computer with subfiles for everyone for whom I embroidered something (paid or unpaid) that includes the designs I made for them with colour information and pictures. I don't keep pictures of projects that have designs by others.
And I have a file named 'presents', subfiles friends and family members containing pictures of all projects I made for them including clothing and the designs I made (again not those by others) to keep track and avoid doubles.

I have a file called 'Wendy's Stitched' then subfiles with each ones full name as I sew for 3 sharons etc. I keep on these the pickings then in a sub file I keep the final design with the printout with all info on it.. thread colours, file name where I hold the original design & what changes I have made. I also print out a copy to keep with the template. which I put into ziplock bags with the persons name on, then into a Large folder in alphabet order. it is also easier to do the same design again at a latter date.

As I have just started doing this, you sure have given me a lot to think about. You have me wondering what is the best way for me. Iva

As I am usually doing business logos for my customers I do keep them in my computer but I have them spread over several different drives. I really must get organised because my business is now at the point where people are coming back for new work clothes. You are very organised Terre you put me to shame.

I keep a photograph of the things I had made in a file on my computer. So far it is working fine.

I have pretty much the same system as mops does. The client comes to my home so we can design on my computer what they want and pick the colors from my threads, then when I am done, they will either pick up the articles or I will deliver and I keep their designs in a folder with their names for future references, plus their invoices so I know what I charged them in the past........I will also feature some of them on my website to give them some promo as well.....