Will it look like I'm copying?
 

Yesterday I went 2 1/2 hours to my dealer's shop. All the LQS are about that far away. I saw a beautiful Hunter's Star on the wall and the owner said she was teaching a class for it in two weeks. I paid and signed up for it. She said "don't bring your Rapid Fire Hunter's Star ruler, we won't be using that, and there will be no 'Y' seams. I am stoked!! The quilt on the wall was scrappy red and white. The owner made one block and pinned it next to the quilt - it was grey and white. My problem. I need 5 7/8 yards of two colors for this quilt. I have that much in Kona black, Kona white, Kona Grey and some really pretty red.

I thought at first I would use my pretty red and white, but I realize that is the colors of the quilt on the wall. I don't want to look like I'm copying her. Same with the grey and white - just like the block on the wall. I bought a purse yesterday and feel I should use what I have at home instead of ordering online, bt then I think I will be copying the one on the wall, even though it's scrappy red.

Am I being paranoid or should I just go for the red and white. I could order some Kona blue online instead, but the color is never the same as the picture. And I have all this pretty red waiting to be used. Any ideas?

You are definitely being paranoid about the colors - go for whatever you want. You also might try the Red and Grey; I love that combination.

Every class I've ever taken, I (and/or others in the class) have either used the same color combo or similar. In fact, on the sign up sheet/directions the instructor has written down the fabric line and how much one needs of each color of fabric, etc. In fact, the ONLY time I HAVEN'T used the same or similar is if I didn't like her color combo or I had lots of stash of something else. I think she will be flattered!!

I always use what's in my stash when taking a class. I don't want to invest in new fabrics after having to pay for a class. Don't be surprised if others in the class are using the same colors as the sample in the shop.

If you like the red and white, then by all means use it. I would see it as a compliment to whomever made the quilt.

Use what you like and have. If you think the instructor will think you are copying, tell her that you loved her colour combinations so much, that you just had to use the same. Imitation is often seen as the highest form of flattery.

I've used the same fabrics as the shop sample more than once. The owner was flattered I liked her color choices!

Use it! Often people choose a pattern because they like the colors. I have bought patterns and then used the same fabric if I could find it. Yours is not the same fabric and even if it was there is nothing wrong with copying it. enjoy your class and I can't wait for you to post a picture of your quilt.

absolutely use what you have! You can bet if she was to put together a "kit" it would be the same.

One of our LQSs has a rule that, "if you take their class, you have to buy fabric from them, not bring you own".

You will take your finished quilt home, away from the shop. Once you get it there, who is to know you "copied" the shop's quilt? Sew what you want and enjoy it!

I think you should definitely use what you have. Especially if it calls out to you! So, go for it. I hope you enjoy your class.

You should make the quilt in the colors and fabrics that make you the most happy and not concern yourself with thinking you're copying.

Go with what you have. As others have already said, many times people will even make a special purchase so they can intentionally make their quilt in the same colors/fabrics as the instructor. They make the samples for those classes to give ideas for the students anyways. Since you're paying for the class, I would find it completely absurd if the instructor took offense at you selecting the same color combination. (Now, if you were to go into the LQS, snap photos of the quilt & then neither pay for the class nor buy the fabric from them, that WOULD be wrong! ... but you're not doing that)

Oh, I love the idea of red and gray that Cactus mentioned....I LOVE red and gray together.

I'm puzzled why you think if you also use red and white you're "copying"? In 2011 at the Folk Art Museum in NYC they had the largest display of red and white quilts ever. It was called "Infinite Variety" over 300 (!) red/white quilts from Joanna Rose's collection. Red/white is a timeless 2 color combo - so make as many as you want!

wish I lived close... would love to take the class NO Y SEAMS! would be awesome, please keep us posted... and use your fabric.

I'm with the rest - most times I go to a class most of the students use the colours in the sample. One of the reasons people sign up for classes in the first place is that they are attracted to the sample on display, so it follows that many people will want to use those colours too. Relax and enjoy your class. Happy quilting. :)

"Copying"?? How about "inspired by"? ;)

sandy

Use your pretty red and white, jcrow! You obviously love it or you wouldn't have it, and the lady teaching the class will probably be flattered that you are using the same colors as hers..........and if you use fabric from your stash, maybe you can buy another purse!

You must live in Charleston!

Use what you have or want. It's your quilt and most people will never, ever know that the shop model was in the colors you used. Unless you tell them! Enjoy the class!

there are lots of red/white quilts of all types so the sample is not an original idea to begin with. You'll invest many hours in it so let it be just what you want.

Use whatever fabrics you want to use. Even if you were to use the same colors the shop used, you would be creating your own masterpiece. I've have never taken a class that called for a specific line or color of fabric. Every one of us, it seems, has his/her own color and fabric likes and dislikes. All of the quilts in a class may follow the same techniques and patterns, but every single one of them is different. That's what makes quilting such a pleasure for me: there is so much variety. Go for what makes you happy and enjoy your creativity!

Use the colors you like. DOn't worry about it being the same as the instructors. Someone commented that one of their LQS says you have to buy your fabric for the class at their shop. I wouldn't be taking any classes there unless then the class was free. I rarely buy all of my fabric for a quilt all in one shop. I like a big variety. I also like to pull from my stash. It is in my stash because I love it, I usually need some things to go with it. Can't wait to see the completed quilt.

My question is " are you expected to buy fabric from the LQS when you sign up for a class?" Many times the LQS make money on the class by selling fabric . The shop owner may be more upset if you use your own fabric than if you choose the same colors as she has.

Imitation is a great form of complementing someone.

When I taught a few classes, some students wanted to make their quilt similar to what they saw in my quilt. I didn't take any offense, it was actually a compliment. Just go and have fun !!

Your instructor will probably feel flattered that you are using the red/white combo. You will not be copying, except for the pattern, as I'm sure your fabrics will be very different and just as beautiful.

Use whatever you have. It wouldn't be copying. Think about classes where they offer a kit for the class. The kit usually contains the same fabrics as the sample, so is it really copying?

Don't feel guilty about using the same colors as the sample. When you order a kit from one of the quilt books such as Connecting Threads or Keepsake Quilts, you almost always get the same colors as shown in the book. Good luck.

This is said with much love - you are being silly. :)

You saw a quilt and fell in love with it to the point that you PAID for a class and are willing to travel TWO AND A HALF HOURS to take that class. You can make that quilt any dang color you want!

About 6 months ago, I made a shop sample for my LQS. The LQS owner made about 50 kits with the same fabric I used. She sold out of the kits and had to make more. She sold out of those kits and the pattern, and is currently waiting for her second batch of patterns and third batch of fabric bolts to arrive so she can make more kits. Do I feel insulted that her customers are "copying" my quilt? Heck no! I'm very flattered and gratified that something I did has helped increase her sales. I know you didn't purchase a kit, but you purchased a class and I'd be willing to bet you'll spend more money while you're there. That's a good return on her investment of hanging that quilt. If she didn't want anyone to copy it, she wouldn't have hung it where everyone can see it. :thumbup:

The red will be beautiful and you can already see the finished quilt.

Use the colors you want, regardless of what color the sample is. It's your quilt.

Wow! I would love to see a picture of your quilt.

Could the class be for the new Debbie Maddy Hunter Star Simplified pattern? No Y seams. You will love her pattern.

I have taken several workshop from her and she is an excellent instructor. Her patterns are so easy to cut and sew.

http://webstore.quiltropolis.net/sto...3&Item_ID=1244

I echo what everyone else has said. I was so inspired by the pattern AND fabric line in my instructor's shop that I "copied" her in regard to the line but mixed up the placement to be unique. She treated me like a class pet because she adored my fabric choices! Lol. The fact that you're traveling 2.5 hours to take the class is nothing short of shop loyalty so how could be possibly feel anything but glad for your patronage? Is the class several weeks long or an all day thing?

I'm with the others, make the quilt in the colors you want. I bet there will be others making the red and white.

Oh yes, use the red & white! (Or I like the red & grey idea, too) As others have said, the instructor is most likely going to be flattered, if she even notices.

Yuck! That's a policy that would make me not take any classes there. One of the LQS here has tons of classes, and they offer a "student discount" of 10% off on purchases you make on class day (even if they're not class-related) to encourage you to buy their fabric & rulers and things, but if they started *requiring* it, I'd be outta there. Even if they are less than a mile from my house.

Well I have never heard that one before! I would definitely not be taking any classes. Are their classes free?