Originally Posted by ljsunflower
unless you're selling the pattern, it doesn't matter where the inspiration comes from. Does it?
I hate to make a confusing issue more confusing, but yes, it does matter where the inspiration comes from. If you copy the artwork of another artist - be it a photograph, painting, needlecraft in another medium, etc. - it does matter where the inspiration comes from. You will need to ask permission to use the image. It does matter when the original image was created (I believe it's within the last 75 years, but I could be wrong).
By "copy" I mean copying an image for which a pattern hasn't been sold. For example, I design my own quilts, and I don't sell patterns of the design. You can't copy my quilt and claim it as your own.