Simple patterns are generally also public domain, having been designed a century or more ago. If you invest in something like Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns, you will find that most of the patterns in quilting magazines are really the same old things. If you are hunting for free well written patterns, there are lots of sites allowing you to download without cost. I like
www.quilterscache.com There are lots of patterns posted here that are available. If you are not sure, you can PM the person who posted it.