As a new quilter, I'm wondering about the sharing of ideas, so to speak. Besides a few quilting magazines, I have never actually bought a pattern. Basically, I've browsed a lot on the internet. If I see something I like and think it's in my skill level, I just create it myself on graph paper, sometimes the same, sometimes changing it.

My question for those experienced in the industry is at what point does it change from being inspired by someone's work to stealing someone's pattern, to even plagiarism (I don't have a better word right now.)? Right now, I'm just making simple quilts for myself and family. I imagine things are different for people who sell quilts or enter them in competitions and shows. I'm interested to see what others' thoughts on this are.

If its in a quilting magazine, its fair game as long as you give the maker credit. I mostly make traditional quilt patterns, no worries about copywrite infringement.

That's a Hot Topic around here at times, search "copyright", up at the top and will see the discussion from many points of view. Can seem to go on for days :)

You can not violate copyright by making your own quilts. You can violate copyright if you take "inspiration" from a magazine, quilt, picture, etc and then print and sell the patterns. It is the patterns that are copyrighted.

Thanks, C. Cal Quilt Girl. I wasn't sure what term to search.

Scissor Queen, that makes a lot of sense. The quilt is not copyrighted, just the pattern.

unless you're selling the pattern, it doesn't matter where the inspiration comes from. Does it?

Depends on who you ask...

I never can get a pattern just exactly right so it ends up being my own design.

Ditto!

I personally feel more comfortable identifying my work as "inspired by" or "based on a design by/in" and the designer or book. Some patterns you buy even say on them how many you are allowed to make for sale.