I think you are being too harsh on the original poster. While I don't see her being a student on a fixed income as being relevant in any way, I think her ability to see a pattern and make it on her own is not wrong. Cherri House's book is all about how she finds the inspiration for her modern quilts -- do you honestly think she'd be offended that someone was inspired by one of hers? One of her "patterns" is a two-inch postage stamp quilt -- do you think she invented that or holds all the rights to it?
I have the book, I've never used it, and I'd be happy to lend it to the OP if it assauges her guilt.