Category Archives: Quilt Therapy Quilt Patterns

Quilt Pattern Use Permission Rant

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Like all quilt designers and other pattern artists, I have a copyright on the bottom of all of my free quilt patterns, that the quilt the pattern is used for is for personal use only.  I have a hard time believing people cannot read, and I am pretty sure people know the copyright issues because they always rear their ugly head in online and offline quilt groups, on the various social media pages, etc.

My rule has always been that if a group, such as a quilt guild, wants to use one of my patterns for a project – they should ask me for permission.  My response is always that I would prefer each person print out the instructions from my website but if that is not feasible, then the group may copy it for everyone, as long as my copyright and web address are not left out.

I have had a lot of lovely emails from far and wide who want to make one of my patterns for their quilt groups or guilds….and even shops who ask for permission to kit it for a group setting.  Again, I give them the first requirement but I also ask that they take a photo of the group either with one of the blocks from my pattern or a photo of their finished quilts from my pattern – and email that to me so I can use it on my websites.  Of course, ALL of them readily agree and promise to send me photos.

I have had my BOMquilts.com website for about 10 years.  In that amount of time I have NOT.  RECEIVED. A. SINGLE.  PHOTOGRAPH. from anyone who has asked for permission.  NOT.  ONE.

Today, I responded to a comment on this blog about the size of a pattern that was incorrect.  From the comment, I gleamed that the person was part of a group who was making one of my quilts.  Not enough information was given for me to know whether each member of said group was making the quilt or if the group was just making one of my quilts.  In this instance, not a single person in that group emailed me for permission.

Because I enjoy designing patterns and offering them for free, I am at risk of these types of users.  People who promise to send me photos but don’t.  People who use my patterns in group settings without first asking permission.  People who make quilts from my patterns and then sell them.

Bottom line:  People who are dishonest are always going to be wanting something for nothing.  I have to accept that.  I know a lot of folks who share patterns that they purchase, so the usage is just as bad for quilt designers who do not offer free patterns.  And none of us can stop them.

As for my designs on BOMquilts.com and QuiltTherapy.com?  I either have to accept the dishonesty of quilters or stop giving free patterns away and accept the dishonesty of some quilters by charging a fee for my patterns.  And to me, it’s a crying shame that I have to make this decision at all!

And Yet Another Simple Block

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Beginning quilters find that making a quilt of large proportions is a daunting task.  I like to tell them to take it one block at a time.  Once they get that experience, then they can learn to chain piece or alternate blocks in their quilts.  But, to keep their talents progressing, work on mastering a simple block that does not require any sort of triangles.

Here’s another simple block that a beginner, as well as advanced quilters, can use to continue to perfect their craft:

For this block, you will need the following fabrics cut:

  • TWO (2) 6 1/2″ squares
  • EIGHT (8) 3 1/2″ squares of various colors

Now, it’s time to construct your block!

Another Simple Block

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The quilt profile of a beginning quilter usually begins with piecing simple blocks, usually without triangles, and that look pretty enough to make a lovely quilt with.  One of the best tips I give a beginner quilter is to use sashing between their blocks.  Sashing can hide a world of quilt sins.  Borders can also be used to hide imperfections.  Expert block construction comes with experience – and by making a block over and over until you are satisfied you are getting the block the correct unfinished block size.  Seams match, colors compliment each other and putting the blocks together is a piece of art and not work.

Here is another simple block that beginning quilters (and advanced quilters, as well) can use to construct their own pieces of quilted art:

For this block, you will need the following fabrics cut:

  • SIX (6) 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ strips of various colors
  • FOUR (4) 3 1/2″ squares of various colors

Now, it’s time to construct your block!

And here is a photo of this finished block:

If you are new to quilting, this is one of the simpler blocks you can make.  If you are more advanced, make a great block with your fabric color choices.  Quilt On!

Make a Barn Quilt Block Finishing Instructions

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Cutting for Finishing Your Quilt:

  1. Turquoise Fabric:  Cut SEVENTEEN (17) 2 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ strips for sashing (between the blocks)
  2. Dark Blue Fabric:  Cut SIX (6) 2 1/2″ squares
  3. Turquoise Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 2 1/2″ x 66 1/2″ strips for the left and right sashing border
  4. Turquoise Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 2 1/2″ x 53 1/2″ strips for the top and bottom sashing border
  5. Background Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 8″ x 53 1/2″ strips for the top and bottom border
  6. Background Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 8″ x 70 1/2″ strips for the left and right border
  7. Dark Blue Fabric:  Cut enough 2 1/2″ x WOF strips and sew them together to bind your quilt top.

Putting Your Quilt Together:

  1. Sew the sashing strips, row-by-row, to the completed blocks.  Remember to add the Dark Blue squares between each block in the sashing.
  2. Sew the rows together, using the above image as a guide.
  3. Sew the left and right sashing strips to the center of the quilt top.
  4. Sew the top and bottom sashing strips to the center of the quilt top.
  5. Sew the left and right Background Fabric border to the sashing strips.
  6. Sew the Barn Quilt Block #1 (7 1/2″ finished, 8″ unfinished) to the ends of the top and bottom Background Fabric strips.
  7. Sew the top and bottom border to the quilt top.
  8. Quilt as desired, then add the binding!
  9. Completed quilt top should be 69″ x 86″.

 Congratulations!

You have completed your Barn Quilt, brought to you by Quilt Therapy!

Make a Barn Quilt Block #7

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This is the fifth block you will make – the instructions are for ONE (1) block but you will need TWO (2) blocks for the quilt shown above.  The blocks are 15″ finished and 15 1/2″ unfinished:

Cutting Instructions for ONE (1) Block:

  1. Background Fabric:  Cut FOUR (4) 5 1/2″ squares
  2. Background Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 5 7/8″ squares – draw a diagonal line, corner-to-corner ONE (1) time on the back of each of these squares
  3. Turquoise Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 5 7/8″ squares
  4. Blue Fabric:  Cut TWO (2) 3 3/8″ squares – then CUT each square diagonally, corner-to-corner ONE (1) time
  5. Medium Purple Fabric:  Cut ONE (1) 3 3/8″ square – then CUT the square diagonally, corner-to-corner ONE (1) time
  6. Light Purple Fabric:   Cut ONE (1) 3 3/8″ square – then CUT the square diagonally, corner-to-corner ONE (1) time

Putting the Block Together:

  1. Using the Turquoise Fabric and a Background Fabric 5 7/8″ squares, right sides together, sew 1/4″ on EACH SIDE of the line you drew, then cut the half-square triangles apart ON the line you drew.  You will end up with TWO (2) half-square triangles.  Repeat so you have FOUR (4) half-square triangles.
  2. Sew a Light Purple Fabric triangle to a Medium Purple triangle on the side, repeat to make two triangles you will sew together in the center.
  3. Sew the Blue Fabric triangles onto two opposite sides of the Medium & Light Fabric square, press toward the Blue fabric and then sew the remaining Blue Fabric triangle to the two opposite sides of the Medium & Light Fabric square, pressing toward the Medium & Light fabric to create your center square.
  4. Sew the individual rows together first, using the image above as your guide.
  5. Finally, sew the rows to each other so you end up with a Shoo-Fly block!

Remember, the instructions above are for ONE (1) block.  You need TWO (2) of these blocks for the quilt top.

 Stay Tuned Tomorrow for the Finishing Instructions!