What you're paying for is the particular quilt artist's vision for using the 3 basic blocks. It's no different than a designer charging for a pattern she designed using any other public domain block. She didn't invent the block - just the pattern for using it.
There are dozens of different YBR patterns for sale. There don't seem to be any 2 alike. I don't think we're doing anything illegal or unethical by mapping out those blocks and coming with our own fabric combinations and block arrangement. Just don't pirate anybody else's without their written permission.
I've been dissecting pictures of 2 different YBR tops. One is bed size; the other crib size. Two different sources.
In the large one, I've identified 5 distinct blocks. [Block #1; Mirror Image of #1; Block #2; Mirror Image of Block #2; Block #3]
The small one has only the basic 3 - no mirror image blocks.
For the life of me, though, I can't find a recurring pattern to the way they're put together to make either quilt. They seem to be rotated and attached to each other at random.
A quilt like this would drive me insane. (ok ... insaner :shock: )