magazines, books, pre-packaged patterns, free patterns online& graph paper. i never really know the exact amount of fabric needed but love the look of scrappy quilts. i like to leave my options open.

Most of the quilts I have made have came from blocks on the internet. I just figure what I need for one block then take that times how many blocks. Some times I use an on line caculator.

I have EQ6 and love designing with it. I get inspiration from magazines, the internet and quilt shows. My favorite site for block designs has to be the Quilter's Cache.

Wow, what great responses! I used the ruler and graph paper for a while and then my mind couldn't calculate how much of what I needed. So I'm using 1-2-3-Quilt and love it! :lol:

:oops:

Many times I make up my own , as I have a hard time with finding measurements on a ruler (ex. 4 7/8ths) Thank God I have hubby to help me in that area.... But I normally just go the next size up (5) and then square off later...

Same here...graph paper, pencil, ruler, internet:)

My sister gave me a book with a bunch of blocks.

I have seen things on television.

I found a site called quilt blocks galore.

AND

I just think of stuff. I have one in progress, called "I Love New York" I used the state map for the outline and am putting things like a baseball for the hall of fame, Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls, Coney Island Hot Dog, a horse for Saratoga, all sorts of stuff.

Anne

Doreen Speckman had a great book out called "Pattern Play"

I think it's out of print, but it may be available on some of the used book sites.