When you read the ads in the quilt magazines, many times they will have internet addresses where you can get free patterns. My favorite are the quilt manufacturers. A few of them are: RJR Fabrics, Marcus Fabric, Windham Fabrics, Quilting Treasures, Clothworks, Fabri-Quilt, and Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Hoffman. New patterns are added monthly.
You'll also find Block of the Month patterns from Blue Moon River, M&L Designs, Horizon Quilt Designs, and The Golden Thimble. Your notions catalogues offer free patterns.
When you go into the fabric manufacturers site you also will be able to see their new line of fabrics. Sometimes the quilt shops have ordered them and sometimes they will order for you.