I don't either....I want it to be my quilt not a copy of theirs :roll:

Sometimes I mimic or use a free pattern but I often imagine quilts at night as I'm falling asleep or even during the middle of the night. I really lose a lot of sleep when that happens! Often I search for a block on Quilterscache that I think I might like to make and then create a pattern around that block or maybe a couple of blocks. I don't have EQ yet but hope to buy it after I retire and buy a Mac laptop. Right now I sketch it out on scrap paper then go to vrya.net/quilt to figure yardage and best cutting plan. I have so manay quilts that I've imagined and so many free patterns that I could quilt (and hope I do) the rest of my life. Then of course I continue to read this QB and get inspired to do even more. I'm fairly new to quilting so don't have much of a stash but I do have fabric and plans for 6 more quilts. I consider it an investment for my retirement which will happen in 3 more months.

I never use the same colors that are pictured. I visualize what I want and run with it.

I can follow instructins very well! But usually use my own colors...

My sister can look at anything and do it or modify it. Just a different way our brains work I guess.

Oh mimic. Monkey see, and monkey tries to do.

What is Ranger's avatar?

I do both. As a beginner, I mimic and sorta follow the pattern (with my own twists), but I've also started visualizing what I'd like to do for my next two quilt projects. I think for me it's going to depend on how much I want to think at any given time.

I design new quilts, almost all day, every day in my mind. I never seem to rest.

I visualize. I never take a pattern as written, and make it....I have to tinker with it and make it my own. I also can look at a quilt and imagine it in a totally different fabric selection. I thought everyone could do that until my sister told me it was a talent she didn't have.