Tuesday, January 6, 2009

About copyrights

A few years ago, my husband bought me a quilt kit from our nearby quilt shop. I never told him, but I really didn't like it very much. The pattern was nothing more than one big log cabin block and the fabric was just a little too coordinated for me. So I just stashed it for a while until I could come up with a better idea.

It was about a month ago when I got the bug to make one of Mary's patterns, Boxed Squares. It was a great excuse to cut up that quilt kit I never liked.

The blocks were easy enough to make.



And setting them together just as easy.




But then I purchased a copy of Quiltmaker's Favorites (I wanted the fish pattern that is on the cover) and what do I find..... the quilt that I just made. I used Mary's pattern and fabric from a kit I received a few years ago. So can I call this quilt my own or can Quiltmakers Favorites magazine say they own the copyright?











At least all my stripes are going in the same direction.

7 comments:

Vicki W said...

Well the kit may have been lame but the fabrics are fantastic and look great in your version of the quilt!

Deborah Levy said...

I like your version better. And really...it's all just a log cabin variation. So I consider it public domain. I don't think Mary claims the pattern...just that she put together the directions as she does them. Such a murky subject..especially with variations of stuff in the public domain.

Trisha said...

That is so funny that you saw that after you made yours! I like yours better!

Amy said...

I think the quilt will make someone very warm and happy. I stumbled upon your blog, thanks for sharing, Have a great day

Cindy Is Crafty said...

have no idea the answer to your question, but I like your quilt more!

Ann said...

That came out wonderful B. They own their written instructions. Their blocks are placed in a common strippy setting which is older than anyone at that magazine.

Mary Johnson said...

My boxed squares is a fairly common variation and like Deb said, my quilts are made from traditional blocks - I draft my quilts using the blocks in a setting that suits me and then share my instructions. If I'm not mistaken when I first saw the block years ago it was shown as a 9 patch variation. I love the fabrics you used and think your quilt is lovely.