The pattern tissue is sturdy. And, every single time I get a pattern out, I can always fold it back nicely and neatly.
Sure, my daughter got into my bag and had her way with one or two of the pattern packages (she was excited about the girl on the front is all I can figure). And sure, I just last night overheard my husband exclaim, 'Oh $&@*!', knowing he was standing over my sewing table with coffee in hand (I am still too tender about this to discuss the coffee stain on my sailboat pattern- ahem). I know... savages.
But by golly, I can get those patterns back in my package all snug and pretty. And I love that.