Originally Posted by
cashs_mom
Nothing is copyrighted until you actually go and have it copyrighted. There is a procedure similar to patenting.
If you aren't selling a product for profit there is no way they can legally keep you from copying it for your own use. I know Disney is rampant about protecting their images, but if they are not used to make money there isn't much they can do about someone using them. Images are on the internet. If you print one out and stick it on the wall, Disney can't sue you for that. They can only sue you if you use the image for advertising or profit.
Actually, this is not at all true. Copyright is implied and automatic (I have a photography background and am fairly familiar with this topic). You can, of you want to, register your copyrighted works, but it is absolutely not necessary. However, doing so will make it easier to prove ownership in the event of any need to take legal action against someone for infringing on your copyright.
Here is a nice simple write-up on copyright.
Trademarks and patents do need to be registered, which is quite a long involved and very expensive process. Like others have said, it is unlikely someone could patent a quilt unless there was something about the structure or material that was unique. A quilt could include trademarked images like Disney, NFL logos, etc. which could make it illegal to profit from their sale. but what is copyrighted for a quilt pattern is only the written instructions and pictures.