Copywright law applies to the pattern. That is a fact, however if it is one that is published and used often such as Ohio Star it is for public use. I have a copywright on books that I wrote. The law applies to things such as songs, patterns published in a book that are origional in origion. McCall's has an item this month about that. Make sure if you copy someone else's idea to ask them first. That is courtesy, you don't want the US. Marshals showing up if someone complains. However your choice of fabric for a particular piece is your design.