Have you ever wondered how many out there make quilts STRICTLY with patterns, or do you design your own - 100% YOUR OWN? With the thread that talked about copywrites, I am a little gun shy about making and showing a pattern-quilt - so, maybe IF I can design a NEW idea, I should stick with that......what are YOUR thoughts? Also, are an Orion Star the same as a Hunter Star patterns, only colors are different? "Inquiring Minds Want to Know"..........................

I design my own and use patterns. It depends on the quilt and the person who is going to receive it.

I have made up some of my own patterns and I use purchased patterns sometimes. I'll do what I want to with the quilts I make from purchased patterns. In spite of what a whole lot of people will try and tell you a copyright holders rights do not extend to MY work.

Alot of times I use patterns but motify along the way. I do create my own too. Mostly applique stuff. Or I'll combine patterns. The one I'm showing here is a different pattern for each item. The dog is from online that I printed then enlarged.
The bones I cut out of a fabric, the firehydrent is off a pattern then enlarged. The paws are from another pattern then the woofs are what I drew. I don't think copyright would be an issue here I hope.

I design my own sometimes, I make them according to the pattern sometimes, and sometimes I vary the pattern to suit myself. If I inadvertantly step on some copyright, they're welcome to chase me down. I don't intentionally do it but then again I don't usually read any of that stuff.

I don't like doing anything that's already been done so tend to design my own patterns. Sometimes you have to stick with a particular pattern, say in a class, but I am always the "problem child" and manage to find some way to make it mine!

I tend to do my own patterns mostly. Or take a pattern and really tweak it to make it my own.
Just have fun and be happy in what you do! :)

I do both. Sometimes I do not want to make the thinking effort of designing and just want to get to the actual production part.
Sometimes I will confess I buy a pattern just becasue I am too lazy to figure out the fabric requirements. There is always that lack of confidence in my own math ... and I hate getting almost to the end .... and runout of a particular fabric in the quilt.
Some of the complex paper pieced patterns ... would take me FOREVER to draft the pattern.... and then there is that confidence issue ... will the components really all fit together??!!! and then that fabric requirement.... what if...

You may want to consider using non - copy or even copy blocks as just a starting point, you can modify to create a new block. Sometimes its easier to have a starting point.

I don't think I have ever truly followed a pattern. I may start with a part of this pattern and a part of another and a border from another. I never do same colors or fabrics of a pattern. I like to put a lot of different techniques together.

Here are pics of the 2 blocks. El designed and named this Orion's Star block. One of her son's is named Orion. Also, this block is a star inside a log cabin.

This Hunter's Star is from Quilters Cache.

***copyright protected image deleted***

I tend to use a block that I like and go from there. I like to mix and match ideas.

I seldom use a pattern. I love to take some from this or tweak that... and I play with them in EQ too. :D:D:D

hmmmm I found this Orion Star - looks like Hunter to me!

http://www.ericas.com/quilting/patterns/35982b.jpg

hi i'm a new quilter,and i have been reading up on the copyright issue ,and accoring to quilter's cache, you can make a quilt for your self,or give it away, but you can't resell it for profit of reproducion sellin.this is what i understand is this correct ,i'm a new leader...and my husband is a musicion and he has some of his music copy right,you have to get permission to record his songs he will get royaltys on each song,that is recorded.. the same way with quilting you need permission to make it to sell...

if you got or get one of the latest EQ DVD's it shows you how to design your own quilt and blocks with over 5,000 different designs to choose from. I have EQ5,6 &7 and I have learned so much from all of them.

Kim I love your doggy quilt!! :D

I have designed my own applique quilts. However, I am a traditionalist at heart. I love the old designs. I am not much on the "art" quilts. I do think putting a couple of old patterns together in one quilt is really neat. Will probably try that sometime. I guess that would be designing your own.

I some times cheat and take 2 or 3 applique patterns and put them together and make it my own -like taking birds and put them onto a bird bath in one block. I appreciate the designers planning in going into their blocks but I do wish I could draw and design like they can.

I some times cheat and take 2 or 3 applique patterns and put them together and make it my own -like taking birds and put them onto a bird bath in one block. I appreciate the designers planning in going into their blocks but I do wish I could draw and design like they can.

Yes - that is a great idea Annya - Can you show us the one with the birds and birdbath?? It sounds lovely.