Sometimes I mimic or use a free pattern but I often imagine quilts at night as I'm falling asleep or even during the middle of the night. I really lose a lot of sleep when that happens! Often I search for a block on Quilterscache that I think I might like to make and then create a pattern around that block or maybe a couple of blocks. I don't have EQ yet but hope to buy it after I retire and buy a Mac laptop. Right now I sketch it out on scrap paper then go to vrya.net/quilt to figure yardage and best cutting plan. I have so manay quilts that I've imagined and so many free patterns that I could quilt (and hope I do) the rest of my life. Then of course I continue to read this QB and get inspired to do even more. I'm fairly new to quilting so don't have much of a stash but I do have fabric and plans for 6 more quilts. I consider it an investment for my retirement which will happen in 3 more months.