Where do you get your quilt patterns?
 

I have a gazillion books and magazines with quilt patterns in them. But, they all seem to be the same ones? I am ready for something truly spectacular and fun to make. I have seen so many beautiful quilts here that are made by patterns that I don't usually see in any of my books. So, where do you get your patterns?

I like to surf the fabric manufactures web sites , most have a pattern section. Did you know most of Jenny Beyers patterns are free on RJR web site. I also surf pintrest.

I think alot of us look at commercial patterns and than modify, at least I do. I seldom make a quilt that is just the way a pattern says. Take Lori S advise and cruise the internet and pinterest. Many quilts are the same patterns but it is the color used and color placement that makes the quilt your own.

I also surf thru the individual quilt patterns from magazine sold on eBay. Sometimes it is much cheaper to buy a single pattern than buying the entire magazine.

I have a few books and couple magazines. If you Google free quilt patterns there are so many sites to go to. I have downloaded some. I have a note book with those who will eventually get a quilt. I write different patterns I think they may like and also their favorite colors.

See it here or elsewhere, like it, find the pattern! Or try to figure it out if pattern not available.
I have surfed mfgr sites for free patterns but find they are all about selling 15 kinds of fabric from one line, showcasing the fabric, and not always really good patterns.

Kauffman and Windham do have good patterns.

Haven't bought many books because I feel like there's a lot of stuff in them I will never use

I have lots of quilt books and magazines with patterns in them. When making scrappy quilts I usually make up a pattern. I also get patterns from Jenny at MSQC on youtube and some from free patterns on the internet..

I have mostly bought my books and patterns at quilt stores. Also, on line at keepsake quilting and the fat quarter shop. I also have gone directly to a designers site and bought them.(Like bunny hill embroidery quilts) There is e-bay for patterns that are out of print or here at the quilt board too.

Oh, I forgot... at quilt shows!

I tend to make up my own patterns a lot. I sometimes use graph paper to draw them out on and sometimes, I just start cutting and sewing and see where it takes me. My avitar is a baby quilt I designed and made from my stash for my youngest DGD. My DD said she wanted to do her nursery in hot pink and zebra and would I make a quilt for it. I did and I made matching crib sheets too.

Sometimes, I use patterns. I usually buy patterns at quilt shows. You get the newest ones there. Patterns are a great source of ideas.

All over the place - books, magazines, pinterest, etsy, quilt blogs - always on the hunt for something interesting. Most recently, I've bought the ruler and a pattern for sewkindofwonderful. Beautiful patterns with curves.

I don't see a lot of variety in the patterns in magazines, just simple ones that are showing off the latest fabric collections by the magazine's advertisers. Of course there are exceptions.

I have lots of books and magazines but I don't always care for the patterns in them. Maybe it's the colors they use...I really don't know. I do a lot of internet surfing to find my patterns. Also, the QB has been a help, too. I look at all those beautiful quilts that are made by the QBer's and go from there. Good luck on finding some patterns that just grab your interest.

Like others I surf the web on blogs,also sometimes I just punch in words on google such as the color/type of quilt and look to see what pops up(both on the info pages and images section) I have tons stored in folders in my 'puter of downloaded free patterns this way. Moda bakeshop/recipe is a terrific way also to download free patterns. Often times when I visit the blogs of quilters I click on their fav bloggers listed on their site and spend way to many hours looking at them,and overloading my files with patterns/tutorial.

Most patterns you see these days are the same. Its the fabric selection and the block orientation that makes it look different. Make a simple 9 patch block and turn it on point, same block but because of the orientation it looks different.

IMHO the truly unique patterns I find from someone else making them and posting them on the net. I discovered Judy Niemeyer and Nora McMeeking of Bella Bella here on the QB. Judy only sells her patterns with foundations so they are stand alone patterns not found in books. Nora does have a couple of books. Another unique pattern designer I found on the QB is Carol Bryer Fallert of Bryerpatch studios. I too have a lot of quilt books but I find inspiration in them and many many quilts on my bucket list are contained in the pages of those books.

My DDIL works for Leisure Arts and she gives me books & leaflets for presents. Needless to say, I have plenty of resources for quilt patterns. I really think it depends a great deal on one's exposure and quilting experience and color preferences how one arrives at their decisions. More often, I will see a quilt in a picture and like it and know I can make my version or just a portion of a quilt and go from there. Seldom use another person's pattern unless it is a project with a class. I like learning new techniques and the challenge of making something "Too hard". Seeing tv and nature with the purpose of analyzing colors is a past time of mine. Love seeing young people's work and what they like. It is a fresh, new way with shapes and colors.

Dont know if this will abe of any help. Check out quilterscache.com. They have alot of patterns and in sizes also.

Pintrest, go to Google and type in Unique quilt patterns, you will get a lot of different ones. Search for red quilts, pieced, applique, etc. Ask for free quilt patterns from the different search engines, and when you find some you like keep a file of ideas. Many of the different blogs have lists of other blogs to go to for ideas.

I usually have an idea if I want to do a batik or miniature or whatever technique I want to try next. I simply google, "batik quilt" or whatever and see what pops up in the images. If I find something I like, I can track down a pattern on the web or figure it out.

I have only once used a pattern out of a book, and I modified it even so. And it was a big pain in the rear, after I cut it all out I realized I could have assembled the blocks a little differently and saved myself a LOT of effort and probably used less fabric too. Definitely was a learning experience!

I mostly design my own patterns; either completely from my imagination or (more often) based either loosely or closely on something I saw in a book or magazine. I have EQ7 and between that and my trusty pad of graph paper I like to start off by reproducing the quilt as I saw it, and then I start moving things around, chopping things up, adding other stuff in... I have a lot of fun with the design phase, actually - it might be my favorite part of quilting!

I am big on "free" pattern. I will buy pattern from LQs but I get a lot of patterns from this board. Member post beautiful pics and often with the name of the pattern so I do a search on that pattern name , click, print and in the pile it goes. Also most on-line stores and fabric manufacturers have free pattern. So Many Pattern- So little time!!!!!

I have lots of books and magazines but don't use them that much for my quilts. Like so many others, I usually adapt my quilts from something I've seen. But some quilts are so unique that you really have to follow the pattern to get the quilt to look right. I usually take a longer time deciding what I want to make than I take making it. In fact, I've had a quilt in my mind for months but don't have the design finalized yet so I haven't started it.

I love making Samplers, that way I am not making the same block over and over. I love "quilters cache" so many beautiful patterns, then I design my own lay outs.

I've looked through Google images for "quilts" and found lots of great ideas. Youtube can also entertain me for hours. Jenny from Missouri Star Quilt company has some great quilt ideas. I also found Daniela from Cozy Quilt Designs. She owns a quilt shop near San Diego and posts her "Strip Club" video every month. She shows how to make lots of great quilts using primarily jelly rolls. Eleanor Burns also has tons of quilt tutorials on youtube. Pinterest has some great ideas as well.

For some truly beautiful, unique, fun and interesting quilts to make, check out this online magazine:
https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/...h/Onlinequilt/

This is an online quilting magazine out of Australia. Check them out. I think you'll find their quilts quite amazing. And they're all downloadable, so no need to worry about postage.

I have tons of patterns on my computer that I have acquired free on line. I have made a few tops from them and have discovered that sometimes it is all about the fabric choices made. I limit myself to starting two large projects a year and mostly do mystery quilts, wall hangings, and table toppers. My primary goal is still to learn various techniques and skills rather than making quantities (no room available for lots of finished projects).

countrybumpkins.com.au a book and patterns called Sweet Memories. I bought this at sewing and quilt expo last year. have not made it yet but I am going to one day. I bought mine from Sewing machine mart out of Birmingham,al they do mail order and have a web site. just telling you for food for thought.

My favorite is sampler quilts made with all different star blocks.
Stars Across America by Eleanor Burns is great. Hers are the only books I buy anymore and even then its rare.
There are so many free patterns on line.

I was looking to see if anyone had mentioned QC. not only do they give you the block pattern, but also, a pic of how the quilt would look finished. I also have a zillion quilt magazines and books I have purchased. and with the magazines, I have started folding them open to a possible quilt pattern that had caught my eye. and then the pic's
posted here, always give me ideas.

Jingle and I seem to be on the same wave length--I have made several quilts through these methods, and everyone loved what I did--and didn't take three days in the designing process. Once I get a quilt idea in my mind, I find if I go straight out to my sewing room and make a mock-up square, I am good to go.....Love the process.

Some times it is the fabric choices that make a quilt pop or special or even different. The pattern may not seem like much until the right fabrics are used. My quilt shop has a block of the month class and each person chooses her fabric. After it is done the have a quilt walk with all the quilts. Some look so plain and other just pop.

I have a lot of patterns left to me from my DM and DGM. I get a lot from books, magazines, internet and I buy a lot of them. I like quilters cache and free ones listed on fabric designers web pages. When all else fails I come up with something on my own.

Like several others - i make my patterns from things that i have seen. I never have to worry about "scant 1/4" instructions or things like that as i have adjusted the pattern for my seam allowance. For so many years i never even knew you could buy patterns....dumb i guess....but it never occurred to me.

I had a bit of OCD before my accident in '08, and I'm sure that plays a part in all this:
I had a traumatic brain injury and took it upon myself to work my brain, test it, and what better way than with quilting related things?
The computer is in a place that I can see the tv, and be part of the family, so I sat here for hours on the internet, looking at photos and free directions for quilts. I was lucky, I retained my ability to look at a pic of a quilt and figure out how it's made 90% of the time
I ended up doing that for 5 years, and now have 20.8 GB of photos and 20.1 GB of directions. They are all organized, and I mean really organized, so that is where I get my patterns.
I guess it can be considered a 'stash of patterns!'

What does it mean " patterns with foundations so they are stand alone patterns"?

i guess i mostly design my own quilts. i look around and see elements i like - a border here, there a block, a technique i'd like to learn. sometimes i'll really like the look of a quilt and head off in that direction, but rarely do i follow cut lists or anything.

then i sketch it out and consider who it is for while i think about what kind of fabrics they would like or that i want to work with.

i am currently working on a frank lloyd wright pattern from a book and i am mostly hating it. but! it's in preparation for a quilt i really want to make for a friend in the prairie style, so utility in all things :)

I'm buying fewer and fewer books and surfing the net more. But every once in a while there is that special book!

Perform a search," free quilt patterns' and you will find more than you want. There are many, many companies that offer free patterns, as well as block patterns.

good question; there have been some GREAT replies! thanks much all of you!

I get patterns everywhere; from books, magazines, catalogs, friends, online, things I see that are not even related to quilting. I just keep my eyes and my mind open and, thankfully, good things come! :-)