This is a very difficult subject and I find myself torn in two by my own opinions. On the first hand, it is true to say that there is ‘pretty much nothing new in patchwork’ everything has been done before and this generation of stitchers are only re-interpreting what has gone before. Kaffe is one of the first to be inspired by and re-interpret … See More antique and vintage quilts.

On the other hand, those of us who design do our best to come up with something new, and would appreciate a mention if someone is kind enough to make up one of my patterns. However… I don’t expect it and wouldn’t complain if they didn’t…BUT and it’s a big BUT, I would take exception to someone copying my pattern and making their own pattern for sale.

All that said, it can happen that 2 designers come up with an almost identical design. It happened to me several years ago when I designed a little quilt, made it up and had it published in a British magazine. The magazine had a phone call from an irate subscriber saying my design was a copy of a Thimbleberries design. On checking, I found that the block design was indeed the same, I had chosen different sizes for cutting, a different layout and no border, but it was very similar. I had no conscious memory of seeing the Thimbleberries book, but I can’t say, hand on heart, that I didn’t ever see it prior to designing the quilt. So.. where does that leave me? …. I don’t know either

Thank you Ruth for taking the time to give your two cents worth…or two pennies in your case! It is difficult and if I were not admin of the group maybe I would see it differently. And the funny thing is I am a fierce proponent of not buying kits…you know interpreting things yourself which is what I think this artisan did. I loved the extra purples she added…just my cuppa!

How weird about your quilt…am sure it happens a lot and I read somewhere about authors often think up the same storyline at the same time. My son is a writer…he told me about it! I have added a new rule…the most important one really…if you knowingly copy or use a kit etc…disclose it…lots of the group members might be thrilled to know they can buy that design or kit. Of course I won’t be policing it as such for regular quilters but will keep an eye out for any who are making money off other’s designs…that is copyright theft and I know of two quilters who quit blogging recently because of copyright theft…. although i feel it was more flickr or etsy related.