I usually use patterns. I got a book and I loved the quilts in it. When I started to make the quilt, it was one of those books that said "to make this version, go to p.22 for ..." I have trouble when you have to go back and forth in the book. I have the same problem with recipes. Anyway, when I followed the pattern, I somehow got lost and I couldn't get the blocks together. So finally I sat down on the floor and just laid out the blocks the way I thought they looked good. The quilt came out wonderful, but looked nothing like the pattern. But usually I use patterns all the time.