Well I am an odd duck. First I learn a block and then I just go off on my own tangent arranging those blocks in various ways. I do this for about 5 charity quilts and then I go learn another block. As for patterns--I need not waste my money because once I get into the quilt about half way, I either loose my direction or like my own ideas better. Sometimes, it is a matter of time and I just throw on some borders if I become discouraged with trying to follow a pattern, anything to get the quilt done and on its way to Project Linus or Hope Haven. Quilting is my hobby and I doubt that there is a child out there that would be upset knowing I put something together incorrectly. :)