More about coypyright laws

“But I thought if I changed some of the colors, it would be ok.”

It’s one of the myths about copyright laws.

Another common one: “it didn’t have the little copyright symbol, so I thought it wasn’t protected.”

Last week we talked about some of the more important things we quilters need to know about copyrights.

The topics in today’s article are just as important because they are common myths about what is protected by copyright laws that you might not have guessed.

Enjoy your quilting and make the ones you want, but remember there are quilters out there who are ready to sue if you use their design improperly:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/4108-copyright-laws.php

 

Landscape Quilts

Before Jim and I went on our last trip, it occurred to me that it might be fun to collect small t-shirts along the way and then make a tshirt quilt as a memento of the trip.

It sounded like a great idea, and I still think it is.

The problem was that I couldn’t bring myself to paying $15 or more (mostly more) for something that would be significantly less than a yard of fabric.

It’s hard enough to pay that much for fabric!

Maybe some day – - -

But in the meantime, I’m a little more inclined to make a landscape quilt of a favorite scene from a trip.

I tried one years ago, and was very disappointed.

Now, though, I know more about how to get the right variations in the colors of fabric.

Way back then, I wasn’t dying fabric and it was next to impossible to buy hand dyed fabric.

To get some ideas for beautiful landscape quilts, visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1180-landscape-quilts.php

 

A Baby Quilt Resource and Weekly News

Babies these weren’t.

Nonetheless, they were fun to watch!

The first stop on our last trip was at a spot named Bearizona.

Aptly named since there were several exhibits with bears – big brown bears roaming around in an area we drove our car through; little “kindergarten” bears playing among the trees; and tiny little baby bears housed during the day in the gift shop.

Sorry, they weren’t for sale.

However, we did get some fun video of a big bear playing with a pine branch.

You’ll see that and learn about a fun quilting resource for making baby quilts:

http://how-to-quilt.com/newsletter/babyquilts.php

 

Rocket ship quilt block

Maybe someday I’ll take a spaceship to the moon!

Engineering son, Bubba, has his eyes on Mars.

I’m thinking I don’t have enough time in my life to go to Mars and back again.

Maybe next time around!

In the meantime, we can dream of rocket ships and create quilts using a fun rocket ship quilt block.

And possibly because I never made one for Bubba when he was a kid, I’ll make one for him now.

On the other hand, maybe I’ll wait until he has a kid – - – -

I’m sure the love of space will carry forward to our next generation:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/1366-rocketship-quiltblock.php

rocket ship quilt block

 

Copyright Laws and Quilting

Oh, so you thought you’d just copy a quilt from a book and sell it.

Or, you decided to make a quilt from a store-bought pattern and use it as a raffle quilt.

Years ago, it didn’t occur to me that doing something like that might cause a problem.

And, I guess, fortunately I was just making quilts for my family and friends.

But when I started my quilting business, I decided it might be prudent to do some investigating about copyright laws.

I’m glad I did, and you  may benefit from some of this advice, too:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/4107-copyright.php

 

Making Bias Tape

Bias tape is very handy in quilt making.

Some quilters use bias tape for binding.

Others use it for applique or narrow curved strips to sew between larger patches of fabric.

And when you can make your own bias tape, your finished quilt has a better chance of being exactly how you want it to look.

For years I avoided making my own bias tape – thinking it would be just “too much trouble.”

It turns out that I was wrong – making it is easy and it doesn’t take any special tools, although it is easier if you have a bias tape maker.

To see how to make your own bias tape, visit:

http://www.how-to-quilt.com/articles/6097-making-bias-tape.php

Bias Tape Maker

 

Strip Piecing a 9 Patch Quilt Block

I love strip piecing.

As a matter of fact, whenever I look at a block, I look for opportunities to strip piece the block or at least some parts of the block.

If you aren’t familiar with strip piecing – it is simply a technique where you cut strips of fabric, sew them together, cut them apart into patch units, and then sew them together again.

It does sound confusing, yet once you see the process and try it, you’ll probably fall in love, too.

In this article, you’ll see the complete process for strip piecing a simple 9 patch quilt block.

Using this exact process, you can complete a quilt in no time at all:

http://how-to-quilt.com/articles/2028-strip-piecing.php