quilter1943

Sometimes I use the pattern as a guideline, but don't think I have ever made one exactly like the pattern is printed. I usually pull fabric that I want to use out of my closet and go from there. Of course, some of the basic old patterns I still love - Anvil, log cabin, courthouse steps

deema

I have never bought and followed a pattern. I have used a pattern for a block to make my quilts...so it's not like I'm completely designing all of my quilts or anything. I "tweak" an existing block pattern to suit me... I have also looked at a quilt I like and figured it out on my own, to suit my needs.

The only pattern I sometimes follow, is the one I draw on my graph paper before I start a quilt. LOL I actually spent the afternoon working on my plan for my next quilt. I pulled fabric from my stash, measured and started calculating and measuring, drawing and colouring. lol

RatherB Quilting

I follow patterns, I follow recipes, I follow directions to build things. If I stray too much...disaster ensues.
I bought Eq7 in hopes of creating my own patterns...should prove interesting! The only thing about a pattern I pay no mind to is the amount of fabric needed for the project. It's all poppycock and fibs and you generally need at least TWICE what they tell you that you need!! :)

Aunt Retta

I enjoy coming up with my own patterns. I often see something I like and kind of copy it,or skim through a pattern and do it my way. I want to do some with a pattern just to prove to myself that I can do it!

sueisallaboutquilts

Great topic. I have used patterns but very loosely for the most part. I see a pic of what I like or another quilt that someone made and sorta do my own thing. I started using templates but that was long abandoned when I got a rotary cutter lol.
I have very few patterns and got rid of most of my books. The internet and this board are my sources for inspiration :)

quiltin chris

Yes, I use a pattern. I just don't have the creativity to think something up all by myself.
Now, if I see it done up by someone else then I can put my own spin on it. A designer I am not!!

Lucky are the ones that can dream up their own designs.


Chris

candi

A beginner here, but I do both. I have designed some quilts myself, and love doing that. But then sometimes I see a pattern I like, whether standalone, in book or magazine or online, and I followed them to make quilts,althought I mostly had to change size, layout or whatever to suit my needs and wants.

QuiltMania

I use patterns mainly for the cutting directions (how many, what size) and the fabric requirements.

cjomomma

No patterns for me. I tried to follow a pattern once but flubbed it all up. Decided it wasn't worth it and started doing my own. I always get the questing about what pattern it that too.

Tropical

I don't follow patterns nor do I follow recipes. I love to look at magazines for inspiration and cookbooks for ideas. Then I'm off on my own pathway. So far so good. I just let the fabric show me where it wants to go and it usually takes me someplace where I'm happy.