poverty induced guilt.
 

when i posted the other day about "manly quilts", someone suggested cherri house's very wonderful city quilts book.

so i went and previewed the book on amazon, fell in love with one of the patterns via google image search and then rode over to the local quilt shop who has it in stock.

i looked up the pattern and there is no specific layout, no real pattern and a very well established technique in my skill set.

i'm a phd student with a child. $25 for a book i will only use for one pattern (which isn't really a pattern at all but rather a design idea....) is too much. so i didn't buy it. and i feel guilty because cherri house did a fantastic job, and so does that little quilt shop and well....

i'm going to make that quilt and no one is going to make any money for their time, effort or labour to help me make that quilt. and for that i am truly sorry.

aileen

Aileen that fact that you recognize that you are benefiting from the book and shop is a good thing. As long as you will not be selling the quilt.

You can always pay it forward in the future. Fully acknowledge where the idea came from in any online posts of the finished project.

May of us here post links to tutorials often we do not need to 'buy the book' after watching the online tute.

My budget is tight and I am heading to my LQS tomorrow because they have all their fat quarters on sale at a great price. I cannot afford to buy yardage from them at this time or take classes. I need FQ for my SS

Hi Aileen,

No need to be sorry. Today's economy has us all in some sort of bind. We all do what we can. Like Ms.Tothill said....give credit to the person or what book the pattern came from.

We don't care how much you spend on a quilt, it's the love you put into it that is priceless.

Chase

WOW, guess I missed it.

I think everyone at one time sees an expensive item and says I can make that and goes home and makes it from memory. No need to apologize to anyone.

I use the library a great deal for quilting books.

My library also has an inter-library loan program that allows me to get virtually any book, (my library borrows from other libraries), with no charge to me.

I never feel guilty about borrowing a library book.

My goodness, I give you absolution. For your penance make two quilts and give them away. I'm sure you will give your quilt shop business whenever you can, and if you post a picture when you are done, I'll bet lots of people will go out and buy the book. You sound like a good person, and guilt is not good for you. Amen.

Love every post! Amen from me too! Guilt is not good!!!!

Forgive yourself. I don't see a thing wrong with what you are going to do. With the money you will be paying the school for your education, you won't be buying quilt books for a while. My Granddaughter is trying to put herself through college and will owe a boatload of money. There are several free quilt pattern site on the internet.

Good grief! I have never bought a pattern! I do have several of those books that some one with landscaping skills, or far out psychedelics (sorry about spelling) put out. I go on QB and study quilts and think, "I'd like to make that, but I'd use blue batik, instead of the printed red, and more of this design on both sides, and......." And I do make the quilt and NO ONE, not even the person who made the quilt that started me off, would recognize the "copy". It has morphed so much that it is my quilt. I'm a gut quilter, not a pattern quilter. And I never thought to feel wrong about what I do. And I'm Irish Catholic and you can't get into guilt much more than those types! Do I need absolution, too?!

i haven't seen the book in question so i don't know whether or not you'd be copying something unique and original by using the author's design idea(s) from memory. if that would be the case, then your guilt is appropriate and i highly recommend you listen to it.

being unable or unwilling to pay for something we are not entitled to have for free does not justify taking it.

guilt is our brain's way of warning us that we are considering or have done something outside our ethical boundaries.

listen to your own heart and conscience. that's what you'll have to live with. why risk investing money and effort in something you won't be able to fully enjoy?

Oh my goodness, do not feel guilty one little bit! I've looked through quilt books and have seen quilts that I like and used their ideas and made my own quilt and didn't buy the book because I only liked one quilt. I only buy books if I want to make quite a few of the quilts. If you can figure out how to make the quilt by just looking at the pictures, what is wrong with that? You said there was no pattern, so why would you buy the book in the first place?

I am Catholic and have Catholic guilt up the ying yang all the time, but I don't get it by looking at a pattern and figuring out how to make it on my own.

Especially when you are in University, how can you afford to buy more books? You aren't cheating. You didn't take a copy of the directions. You just looked at the pictures and figured how to make it. So, please, if you have to feel guilty about something, make it something worthy of feeling guilty about. So many people just look at quilts and figure out how to make the pattern. You are doing the same thing.

You can buy single patterns at several websites. I buy them at Craftsy sometimes for $2.90 for the very same reason.

I stand with Patrice on this issue, the OP is clearly uncomfortable with what she is planning to do...a very good sign that she shouldn't. As the person who recommended Cherri House's book, City Quilts, in her quest for a pattern for her brother, I am disappointed and now wish I had not helped her find it. :(

I think you are being too harsh on the original poster. While I don't see her being a student on a fixed income as being relevant in any way, I think her ability to see a pattern and make it on her own is not wrong. Cherri House's book is all about how she finds the inspiration for her modern quilts -- do you honestly think she'd be offended that someone was inspired by one of hers? One of her "patterns" is a two-inch postage stamp quilt -- do you think she invented that or holds all the rights to it?

I have the book, I've never used it, and I'd be happy to lend it to the OP if it assauges her guilt.

I just goggled this title at my local library. It has 3 copies. If I borrow one and see something I like, are you saying I can't make it without Buying a copy for my own?

I forgot about the library. We have several large one close by which I haven't visited for years. when I take a break from quilting, I', going to check them out. Excellent idea.

thanks for your thoughts. i feel a lot better today about all of this.

i am sorry ghostrider that you wish you had not suggested this path to me. given the number of images and related search hits i have had for these quilts in particular based on my search parameters, i would have discovered this wonderful author and teacher that very evening. and in talking to the owner of the little funky quilt shop here in town i feel much better about my level of support for her business. since i found her i have bought some fabric, a number of notions and even the ribbon for my daughter's hallowe'en costume from her. the chances are very good that the bulk of the fabric for my brother's quilt will come from her shop. while fabric.com looks cheaper, between shipping, duty and taxes it isn't. shopping locally saves me the worry of colour matching issues and tactile matches.

i am an avid supporter of local shopping and i understand the value of creative work. i also understand that i live in an economic system driven by guilt, fear and scarcity. there's nothing wrong with not having or making do with what you do have. had i not gone to the quilt shop to see (and with the expressed intention of buying!) the book, i could easily have borrowed it from the library.

not making this quilt because i didn't buy the book doesn't make an iota of sense. not one. acknowledging that these monetarily lean years have afforded a tremendous amount of time to watch my girl grow and to be there for her, to learn to quilt ever more challenging quilts and have the time, energy and modest means to practice this art. i possess the good sense to know that sending a photo to cherri house, sharing her work in a few forums, giving her due credit and making something to be proud of means giving more back to her than the small royalties of the sale of one book.

cherri house's bio is on her website. something tells me she would understand intimately where i'm calling from.

thanks again for all your help and good thoughts. and my sincere apologies to you ghostrider for the negative experience or affect sharing your ideas seems to have caused.

aileen

You sound like me - I can feel guilty about anything. And since you more than likely made some change to yours it really is no big deal. And like the others said you can get the same information from the library. I have bought numerous books and magazines and not made an item. But I have looked at other quilts on-line and at a store, said, "I can do that!" and gone home wrote a few notes down and made the quilt, using my fabric and any unique twist that may come to mind. I don't feel guilty about it. It's all part of the process. Quilters share ideas. I buy patterns I like and may make changes along the way. If the quilt police arrive at my door, I will let you know.

I very seldom buy a pattern or book. Mostly I look around and think "I can do that, but I would do it in different colors or different fabrics or lay out or make the squares a different size, or I would add such-n-such etc." I think all books and patterns are meant to be INSPERATION. Quilting is all about exercising your creativity and having fun. On the other hand if you use a pattern AND the EXACT same fabrics and thread and quilting design as the author's, then you are copying. Relax and happy quilting!

I've just finished reading a book about knitting (Sweater Quest by Adrienne Martini) in which the issue of copywriting and ownership of patterns is discussed at length. The following paragraph will help the OP assuage her guilt and let her think of herself as an artist: "Is knitting art or is knitting crafts? ..... If you buy a pattern and buy the yarn the pattern suggests and knit it in the color suggested, you're executing someone else's directions, no matter how much joy you do it with; that's craft. That's execution. The definition of art for human beings is that it is self-expression. So the minute that you say, "I think the sleeves should be a little bit shorter," "I think this should be green", the minute that who you are begins to influence what that thing is, now it's art."

[QUOTE=Elise1;5597993]I use the library a great deal for quilting books.

My library also has an inter-library loan program that allows me to get virtually any book, (my library borrows from other libraries), with no charge to me.

I always check the library to see if they have a book I am interested in. If I Really like it I will go to AddALL book search and let them find it for me for the cheapest price. For the most part though I end up not buying the book. Simply because there will be only one pattern in it that I like. I just freecycled a bunch of quilt books a few months ago worth hundreds of dollars retail simply because I need to get rid of things and I just didn't have the energy to take pictures post and mail. That's when I decided no more buying books unless I can check them out first.

Like none of us have done the same thing .. Or from a magazine or even a quilt show .. So no worries just acknowledge that its not your design but blah blah blah .. there ya go .. and I think as long as you don't sell it; just make sure you acknowledge the design but blah blah who did it, etc... Then once you make it big; be sure to shop at that LQS and secretly know you are doing good. Pay it forward with a quilt to a homeless shelter or a woman's shelter once you get the pattern down. When I lived on the other side of the mtn, I made small quilts for the local woman's shelter for the kids.

No Sierra, you took and idea and made it into something a little different. As said above, I see things and then go home and make my own from memory or a few notes I took. It is the same, not usually, but we see things around us all the the time and get ideas. Have fun and enjoy the creative side.

You go girl!!

Aileen, I have made a few quilts after looking at pictures in magazines for inspiration. What I find happens is that I use the idea as inspiration, then 'make it my own'. In the end it doesn't look anything like the picture that inspired it.

My guess is that if you hunted long enough on the internet, you would find a very similar quilt with directions you can download, sometimes for free!

I agree with the others - as long as you don't plan to sell it to anyone, use it.

My suggestion - remember this incident and pay it forward someday. When you have your Phd and are rolling in the bucks, buy this book or something else from this author and give it someone who is just starting out and is quilting. I'm sure you will find lots of folks who think it is just fine to hijack a pattern, but I have to give you so many kudos for not having a "too bad for you" attitude! Good luck to you, and keep your fine 'compass'!

I have to disagree with the quote. Do you think if anyone who plays Mozart or Beethoven exactly as the composer intended is not an artist? Of course they are! Anyone who completes a pattern and it ends up like its supposed to, is an artist. If you change it - it's creative interpretation.

When our children were small, we had NO money. I spent a lot of time at the local Library getting free patterns for toys and dolls. The children were happy with them, they were made from scrap fabric and free pattens and all was well. Things changed later, but you do what you have to do for your family. People are in a bind and have to cut back and save money in this economy. Nothing to feel quilty about. Enjoy. Hope your phd goes well also.

Quilters have been inspired by each other's work since the beginning. That's how this art/craft began. I don't see how one can truly copy a quilt unless it comes from a kit which has all the fabrics pre-cut.
I have a large library of quilt books. I frequently refer to them for inspiration. While I may use a block that I find in one, I have never made a copy of a quilt.
I have taught a number of people to quilt. While we have referred to quilts or blocks in a book, no one has ever made an exact copy.
Even if someone were to make an exact copy of one of my quilts, I would be flattered and amazed at her ability to find all those fabrics.
As even the book referenced had no pattern, the quilt was obviously included for inspiration. Other than looking at the photo, what more is there to do? Anything that arises from viewing the photo would have to come from the maker.
Let's say, for example, that the photo is of a quilt which features a tree with falling leaves. There will be a sky background, some ground cover in the foreground, and perhaps some rolling hills fading into the sky. Based on just this description, there are many ways to construct this image. I'm sure that in reading it, you have constructed a mind's eye view of your colors, layout, and maybe even fabrics. Yet each of us will have seen a different image, and in the making of it, may come out with something different from our original concept. Is any of this cheating or stealing? I say no. I have merely given you an idea, and ideas cannot be copyrighted. So, if any of you wish to make a quilt based on my idea, I say, "Go for it!" I'll even start a new thread where we can post photos of our results. Who's up for it?

I belong to a small quilt group and a guild. The guild has a library from which a member can borrow any book. My small group shares books among themselves all the time. I too feel a little tinge of something when I borrow the books even if they are from the main local library. But the libraries did have to buy the books to have on hand so at least that was another book sold. Some of the borrowed books inspire me to find other books/patterns by that author and buy them which I wouldn't have know about otherwise. How about ebay? Used patterns/books are sold all the time there and the originator of said book/pattern is not getting anything back from that sale. If I were a book/pattern designer I would be upset about all if this I think but what can one do about it?

Life is complicated and we live in a capitalistic society. Once you have bought something with your hard earned money, it is yours to do with as you please .... sell, give away, throw away, etc.

Oh and has anyone noticed how close the word "quilt" and "guilt" are? Yes, I too feel guilty some if I borrow a book from a friend but at least one copy was sold and I was not going to buy it anyway. This is definitely a touchy and complicated discussion.

I think that rather than feel guilty, you should pat yourself on the back for being sensible with your money, celebrate your ability to solve problems creatively and enjoy the process and accomplishment of quilting with a robust happy dance! No more mea culpas please!

Don't worry about it! Our foremothers borrowed, exchanged, and designed quilts for all to enjoy. We have all gotten paranoid about patterns and designs. My suggestion is to learn to draft your own patterns and then they will be your own. Have fun. That's the name of the game.

I would just try to give the quilt shop some business as soon as you are able. As for the book author, you are benefiting from her ideas, so like someone else said, be sure to give her name and the name of the book when you post your pictures online. That may help by causing someone else to buy the book, at least.

I understand your guilt. Creative people should be paid for their work, just like anyone else.

Many of the quilts that I've seen in books seem to be based on quilts/patterns that the book author saw 'someplace else.'

Where does 'public domain' end and 'copyright' begin"

I still don't understand how the author of the Dear Jane book - who DID NOT MAKE THE QUILT -and as far as I know - does not own it - can profit from it or prevent others from using the quilt for inspiration for OTHER books based on the quilt by Jane A. Stickles.

IMHO, making a quilt you found in a book or magazine for your own personal use it allowed, otherwise, why would they be published for you to see? If you will be displaying or entering it in a show or contest, then by all means, give credit where credit is due. Things change completely if you are making to sell. Then you must be attentive to copy right and design infringement.

That said, I get most all my inspiration from books checked out at the library, or from free you tube videos. If I see a pattern that really grabs by attention, then I will buy it, but so far have not used any of the patterns I have bought. A lot of 'patterns' I have seen, are really just creative fiddling with the old time public domain patterns anyway. The art quilters are so far advanced beyond my capabilities, that I not only would not be able to replicate their work from memory, but doubt I could do it following a pattern either. So no worries there.

Those that are interested may please visit my QB thread "Falling Leaves Quilt Challenge." I'd love to see what that means to you.

You don't have to carry around any guilt. Be happy and happy quilting.

Many people are cutting back due to prices and income. Do what you can and don't apologize.

OK, here is a list of "why you should not feel guilty".
1. Libraries - both public and quilt guild libraries someone did pay for every single book with the express intention of lending them out to people who would most likely not buy them. Also, every best selling author knows that his/her work will be enjoyed by many people who have borrowed - rather than bought - the book. I think they are OK with that, too.
2. There are many of us who buy a quilting book and never make a single item in it. We just love looking at the book - maybe only once or twice. We've made up for all of those "library" users. Case in point, I own every single book put out by Kumiko Sudo because I think they are gorgeous feasts for the eye.
3. Truth be told, the only quilts that a lot of us need a pattern for are the "art" variety. I happen to be a "math type" with color sense who can draft patterns, change sizes, etc. so a pattern is unnecessary.
4. Jenny at Missouri Star Quilt Co. is my hero! Love that woman's YouTube tutorials!!!!! All free information.
5. If you display it, make sure there is a label giving credit to your "design inspiration". It's all good.