I've had this questions asked of me numerous times, and I've seen others discussing this issue in the Stitcher's Guild SFD Forum. So let's take a look at what your various options are.
Depending on your storage space in your closet or sewing room you may want to implement one of the following.
Folded in Envelopes
Rolled on a cardboard tube
Or...Save the internal tube from your tracing vellum rolls. I particularly like the 18" wide tube from the 50 yd vellum. It seems to be just the right length for many pattern shapes. Of course, the tube from the 24" long vellum is excellent for larger sized pattern pieces like wide sleeve patterns. Then roll the pattern pieces around the tube, tape or pin a swatch of fabric to the pattern, label what the pattern is and when you drew it...then put a rubber band around it. Makes good sense...no creases to deal with when you go to re-use the pattern.
Toilet Paper Tube
A customer suggested this alternative. She used empty toilet paper rolls - rolled the pattern pieces quite tight, stuffed them inside the toilet paper tube, then let the pattern roll expand till it fills the tube. Clever! Of course, label the tube and pin or tape a fabric swatch to the roll for easy identification.
Just simply rolled & rubber-banded
And last, but certainly not least, as I'm sure you can come up with other options, just simply roll the pattern, label, swatch it, and put a rubber band around it. There's nothing supporting the roll, but if you gently stack these in one of those clear plastic storage bins, they shouldn't get crushed and will be easy to unroll and use the next time you want that particular pattern.
My favorite is rolled on a hard cardboard tube. Please share your favorite storage system in the Comments box. I know others would like to know what you do too..
Happy Sewing and Organizing!
Glenda the Good Stitch