I store patterns in a dresser drawer in our spare bedroom. They fit nicely if I lay the patterns horizontally, making it easy to flip through them.

I have way too many patterns too! For years I couldn't resist picking up vintage patterns in thrift stores. I may not need to buy a sewing pattern ever again.

Probably not helpful, but I actually have 2 vintage sewing pattern file cabinets I brought home decades ago from the fabric store where I worked. I use one for patterns and the other for notions.

That fabric store also was a source for a lot of free patterns; when the catalogs changed out every season, only the paper envelopes were sent back to the companies, the 'guts' (a.k.a. patterns and instruction) were thrown away, so we employees would help ourselves.

I draw my patterns on butter paper

and I like to minimize the number of folds, and so I store them in large flat boxes (labelled) on shelves in my closet. I try not to put more than three separate patterns in one box, but if I make variations on one pattern, I still store all of those together.

I used to fold them more and store them in file folders with the names written on the folder tabs, so that I could find them easily.

For smaller things, like bathing suits, I still store them in file folders.

I use butter paper because certain pattern parts have to be traced from other parts, especially for interfacing and pocket placement.

Back in the day I used shoe boxes. It's been awhile since I had any patterns.

I haven't bought patterns in a long, long time. But I have a box that is just the right size to store them in one behind the next.

Pretty sure craft stores like Joann's sell pattern storage boxes too.

And is butter paper like the coated paper butter sticks are wrapped in? Where does one get that, and are there advantages to using it? I usually use kraft/butcher paper for home made patterns, and I was taught to use dressmaker's carbon for tracing.

"Butter paper" is what drafting tracing paper is sometimes called, and it does not have any coating on it. It's slightly yellow in color, which is where I think the name "butter" comes from. It is also called tracing paper, but it is much less expensive than vellum, which is very white and a bit heavier, although that can also be used for patterns.

I buy it on rolls, generally 36" wide, at an art supply shop where I buy drafting supplies. The store I usually go to is called Graphaids (it is close to where I used to work), but Blick is also good. You can do a search for "drafting supplies" or "art supplies" for your location. There are a lot of architect offices in Santa Monica, Venice, and West L.A., and so there are a lot of drafting supplies stores there.

Thanks for explaining, Lars. I used lots of tracing paper back in the day when commercial/graphic art & design wasn't all digital. I think I still have a pad around here somewhere. It's not yellow tho.

Well it may be now...

cardboard pattern storage boxes--- sits on a shelf in the home office closet. It holds patterns I have actually used. Unused patterns sit on the shelf next to the box. I don't own a lot of sewing patterns. Needlework and quilting patterns/instructions are in a drawer in a file cabinet in the same closet.

I had 3 of these totes, perfect for patterns. 6”H x 8”W x 16”D. Got it down to one tote. Think I bought these at Joanns years ago.

I use plastic magazine boxes. They can handle all sizes, from Simplicity/McCalls/Butterick/Vogue size, to larger ones like the old Stretch-n-Sew. If I print out a pattern from online, I put them in large mailing envelopes, and these magazine/book boxes can hold them, too. I found mine at Target, but you can also get them at Oriental Trading Co, Amazon, and more. Mine are green, and stored on shelves in my sewing closet.

Mine are in a file cabinet drawer. I used to have many - finally got tired of them and gave them to a friend. I suspect his other half was savvy / ambitious enough to set up an Ebay shop and sell them.