copyrighting a quilt design is going to be very difficult – unless it is so radically new and innovative.
This is so true. Most patterns have the standard copyright law printed on the back, doesn't mean the pattern itself is copyrighted at all. Then some designers will add Rules like item cannot be made and shown in a show, item can't be made but once, etc. These are rules and rules are not copyrights. Never copy a bought pattern to sell or give away and always give the designer credit, copyright or not.