Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Collecting free quilt patterns >

Collecting free quilt patterns

Collecting free quilt patterns

Old 03-17-2013, 06:30 AM
  #41  
Senior Member
 
margie77072's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 934
Default

Ihave a ton of patterns saved on my computer. About every 3-4 months I go through them and delete ones, I know I'll never make because my tastes have changed. I still have way to many. My next thought is to just delete them all and start over (yeah, right...lol). I'm like this with jewelry patterns too.
margie77072 is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 06:51 AM
  #42  
Super Member
 
Marysewfun's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Somewhere neat!
Posts: 1,146
Default

Originally Posted by Luv Quilts and Cats View Post
How many of you look for free quilt patterns on line? I have found many and have one binder full already. With these and the patterns I have bought and books I have bought, I'll be quilting for ever! Sometimes, I just like to look through them and imagine what fabrics I would use, how I would embellish it. This cheers me up to no end. I am not a fast quiltmaker, as my quilting friends can attest. It's kind of a joke amongst us, that I talk more than quilt at our get-togethers. Lately though, since maybe last November, I have actually astounded them and have been actually sewing more than talking! And I have been doing more quilting on my own as opposed to waiting for our monthly get-togethers. I think they think I am not feeling well LOL! Anyway, I seem to be on a roll getting my UFOs done and planning what I will work on next. Anyone else like this....finding free patterns and hoping to do everyone?
If you are worried about the amount of memory - - you can always get an external (plug in) drive and keep on saving. :-) I keep most of my embroidery and magazine articles on one.
Marysewfun is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:02 AM
  #43  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 175
Default

At 81, it is ridiculous all the patterns I have collected from freebies online. I am now in the process of going through stacks of quilt magazines that I have saved. I am ONLY saving the patterns that I MIGHT do someday. Of course I need another 50-75 years!
Kimcatlou is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:04 AM
  #44  
Super Member
 
katesnanna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,453
Default

Mine are saved in files on my computer. Every time I decide I'll clear some out I just end up adding more. I think it's another addiction - as soon as I see "free patterns" I'm on a roll again. I even have sub folders.
katesnanna is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:16 AM
  #45  
Super Member
 
sdeaaz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,308
Default

I love your post..... I am like you.. I love my patterns and books, and magazines. Some nights I gather up an armful and just page through what I have. I am amazed at what I have saved, wonder why sometimes, because now it doesn't appeal to me at all. Trouble is, I have so much that when I want to find something I have quite a time. I have organized in binders that I get at garage sales and thrift stores, that helps. When I retire I hope to do more quilting and less collecting. I have noticed through the years a lot of magazines repeat the same pattern... I will be looking through magazines... and realize I have seen that before. Sometimes it upsets me when I pay $7-9 for a new magazine and it has 2-3 old patterns in it... but then how many ways can you cut material and make it into something different. Thanks for you post. It was fun to read. Quilter 1234
sdeaaz is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:31 AM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
GramMER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: India
Posts: 519
Default

Originally Posted by QuiltnNan View Post
i don't have them on paper, but i have a computer file full of quilt ideas. i'll never get to them all, either
Actually I used to print the patterns and put them in my files, but my hubby pointed out to me that printer cartridges cost him more than $100 each for our HP. We got the printer on sale and had no idea how much the cartridges would cost.
GramMER is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:35 AM
  #47  
Senior Member
 
GramMER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: India
Posts: 519
Default

Originally Posted by KwiltyKahy View Post
My sister calls this PAS (pattern acquisition syndrome). A lot of us suffer or enjoy this syndrome. Some people collect stamps, we collect patterns (fabric, machines. . . . ) and we can DO something with them. I say enjoy, one of those will be the inspiration for your masterpiece. And if you don't get when you see it, you probably won't be able to find it again.
I need to remember this one! It is a perfect description of my "sickness," or is it my satisfaction!
GramMER is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:37 AM
  #48  
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 32
Default

I weened down my magazine buying to only quilt magazines. Finally figured out...our quilt guild has sales with 25cent magazines at least 4 times a year and at our quilt show. GOing to stop the subscriptions and buy them at these sales for the 25cents. I love looking at the patterns and the color combinations! Now the money can go to my guild (which helps pay for our speakers), I save money, save space in my house (donate them back when done with them) and still get my "fix".
Drocket1 is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 07:42 AM
  #49  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Elkhorn, WI
Posts: 127
Default

I used to do this too. But then it came to a point where so much of what I had was just being repeated. Same block different settings or different fabrics. Since I only enjoy traditional patchwork that is about all I save. But then I know how to draft patterns and can usually write my own directions from a picture. so I cleaned out my collection only saving pictures - unless it had unusual shaped patches. Then I sorted the pictures into similarly typed quilts. Now I have binders of pictures just for sampler quilts. BIG single star quilts, quilts with 60 degree angles, medallion quilts, great scrap quilts etc. I can and do design my own quilts, but often am inspired by these pictures. I also use google Images alot to get ideas on how to proceed with an idea I may have. For example, recently I was just about to start a pink and brown quilt. and just using those key words in google images, I came up with lots of ideas for pink and brown quilts and actually decided NOT to use just pink and brown in the quilt.
You may also find the longer you quilt, the more refined your taste in quilting gets. There is nothing wrong with collecting. I did find that I learned lots comparing the pictures and defining what I like in my quilts. I wouldn't consider it wasted time - looking at all those pictures and patterns. I try to save those tasks for when I can't sew. Like when I want to keep the house quiet, or I am sick or have a back ache or... ;-)
gayle bong is offline  
Old 03-17-2013, 08:23 AM
  #50  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Bay Area near San Francisco
Posts: 1,213
Default

Originally Posted by MartiMorga View Post
I am a new quilter and find that I am always downloading patterns, I have so many that there isn't enough time for me to do them all. I wonder how much of my memory on this lap top is used up with those and the free embroidery designs I have on it. Why do I do this and will I ever use them, do I really like them that much? I dread the day I try to "organize" this mess . . . but yet here I am just now asking for one from a fellow board member.
I bought an external hard drive (about $50) and it has more memory than my computer. That's where I keep my downloaded and digital patterns. I can put the external in my purse and take it to meetings without having to lug my computer along.
catmcclure is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sideways
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
16
04-21-2013 01:42 PM
BellaBoo
Recipes
20
06-09-2012 07:55 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter