Originally Posted by the casual quilter
I do buy patterns, but I look at them the same wy I look at recipes. They are only suggestions. Like recipes, they don't always fit the ingredients I have on hand. So I improvise an awful lot.
Exactly! I make one block their way, then it takes on a life of its own. If I run out of one color, I use another & switch blocks around until I like the layout and size. Sometimes I start with patterns for a wall quilt & make an extra long lap Quilt so when we lay down our whole body is covered.