What an interesting topic Bear. I have quite the library of quilt books so I have a lot of patterns from those. I like books a lot because you get a lot of patterns for the price of the book and often you can buy the book used on Amazon for just a few dollars plus shipping. If it is something really complex like Judy N. yes, I will definitely buy the pattern. I nearly had a seizure the first time I saw the prices of the Quiltworx patterns but considering it includes all the paper piecing patterns it was an easier pill to swallow but $50 for a pattern is not something I am willing to shell out very often. I am also pretty good at figuring out patterns from pictures, especially if they are traditional blocks or a technique I already know. But I do spend a lot of time looking at pinterest and have a pinterest board of quilt patterns I like. Some I can make without a pattern but others I would never attempt without one. If I can figure it out on my own, I won't buy the pattern. And I also take advantage of free patterns that designers publish and make available for download or the fabric manufacturers. I have quite a few of those printed out waiting for their turn on the bucket list. I also enjoy using patterns for just a particular block and then do my own thing figuring out the layout. I am working on one like that right now. I used applique patterns from a book and have built the quilt around a panel. I also make things up as I go when piecing backs.