I’ve been mulling over the issues of copyright as it relates to quilting in my mind lately. In recent years, there have been some pretty loud rumblings in the quilt world about this issue, as more and more quilters, artists, designers and companies become aware of the law. To me, most of the interpretation of copyright law has been pretty self explanatory and logical really, at least for my purposes. It’s the oft repeated “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” thing. When you purchase a quilt pattern or book you’ve purchased the right to make that project for personal use, or as gifts. Selling the project is generally not allowed, though in some cases, designers have expressly granted permission to make a certain number of projects to sell (sometimes up to ten) for profit at craft fairs and shows.

All that being said, I really feel that if I have made a quilt from a pattern in a book, and I want to sell that quilt, I should be able give credit to the designer and price the work accordingly, taking into account only the time and materials I put into the project. In other words, I would be charging for my time and materials, not for the originality of the design itself. If I sell a quilt that is my own design, I would charge for my time, the materials, and for the originality of the design as well. I would happily grant that privilege to anyone who purchased one of my patterns as well. That is not what the law says, though, so that’s not what we are allowed to do.

Recently I’ve seen more and more questions and issues about showing quilts made from commercial copyrighted patterns. This is where it gets sticky and mean sometimes, I think, Read the rest of this entry »

Share This

These Folded Star Mini Ornaments were just too cute not to make. Takes about 10 minutes to make one, and you can use 2″ leftover strips from another project, should you have any around (and who doesn’t?). Perfect for tie-ons for gift packages as well. Visit Acorn Hill Quilts for the free instructions for these cute ornaments and there’s also a larger version made from fat quarters that makes the perfect last minute gift for quilters! What quilter doesn’t need more fabric?

Share This

We did finally get the tree up last week, and the rest of the house decorated. I didn’t put up as many decorations this year, partly lack of time, and partly because Shadow is still in his idiot kitten phase. We put all the Disney ornaments on the tree since the kids love those, and then we added all of the Christborn, Radko and other glass ornaments that we have. I just love all my bird ornaments! They’re so cool since they have a little clip instead of feet so they sit on top of the branches instead of hanging.

Last year, Dawn and I took a trip to the Christborn factory (they also make Radko ornaments), and bought some many ornaments. We bought so many (and were there so long!) that the owners took us in the back and gave us coffee and cookies, and then brought out the really good stuff! We got to see (and buy) the ornaments that were being manufactured for the next year’s season, the ones that are only just now available in the States. We called them the “bling” ornaments, because they were glass like all the rest, but then they were absolutely encrusted with Swarovski Crystals and beads! I bought a Bling Frog for each of my girls:

He was just so ugly he was cute. I told them to kiss the frog every year when we put up the tree and someday, their prince will come. Then of course I had to have a Bling Bird: Read the rest of this entry »

Share This