I have been advised that this bullseye pattern has appeared in print previously in a book published by Country Threads called Quilts from Amy, written by Mary Tendall Etherington and Connie Tesene.
I highly suggest you order the book from any resource possible so as to avoid any appearance of trying to take the pattern without purchasing it.
I ordered the book immediately after learning there is a pattern.
I meant no disrespect nor ever intended to suggest that anyone take someone else's pattern.
A friend suggested that I remove my instructions altogether so as to avoid the appearance of impropriety. I'm trying to figure out if I need to do that. If it has been in the public domain, as I think, then there is no need for me to retract the instructions. They are entirely my own creation and I take full responsibility for any errors!
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Seems you have been down this road before, Randy. : )
ReplyDeletePatterns and tutorials for this design are all over the web, including this PDF I found from a Tucson Quilt Guild
http://tucsonquiltersguild.com/Raw%20edge%20Bull's-eye%20Scrap%20Quilt.pdf
And if you do a Google search you will find more tutorials for this pattern than you can shake a stick at, but the book from Country Threads, in which it was published, came out in 1999. Maybe it was the first. I don't know what you should do, but I tend to err on the side of caution.
This pattern is old, old, old and as long as you aren't copying the directions from Country Threads, you aren't violating anything, IMHO. Even e-How has directions on-line for the bullseye pattern. Just because a book includes directions for a quilt block, doesn't make the the block "exclusively" theirs if it's an old block with many, many sources for the pattern. A unique setting of those blocks & the actual directions are, but not the block pattern itself.
ReplyDeleteI've had that book for a few years. This pattern is in more than this book; multiple books and online (just google it). Who knows who the first person was to ever put it in writing. I think you are fine as long as you are not intentional about copying instructions verbatim from a book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the ladies above this pattern has been around and around and everyone has their version on how it is made. I have seen this on the Fat Cat designs website on EQ and I am sure a few mags. You see what is fit for you love that you are contributing to the quilt world with methods and ways to make quilts. I had a friend that had the same issue with a school house sampler got an email with the same accusations of copywrite, I can't tell you how many times i have seen the same pattern in mags but called a different name...Funny how people are so quick to claim and not realize the compliment of how wonderful the quilt may be.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that a pattern that has been out there for years in various places should be fine to use as long as you aren't making copies of the pattern and selling it for personal gain. I hope you will leave your instructions up. We are doing this to have fun and be creative.
ReplyDeleteWow ... I agree with my quilting friends above and would further like to state that while I totally understand copyright laws and the need for them ... have we become SO heavy handed and scrutinized by "whomever" that we can't form a small quilt-a-long AMONG FRIENDS without being policed or threatened. Do whatever you need to do to "protect" yourself Randy but I for one plan to try and make this quilt using YOUR suggestions rather than being bullied into purchasing yet ANOTHER quilt book containing instructions that THEY copied and modified from another, previous user. Can you tell I'm *pissed*?
ReplyDeleteThis block has been around for a long time and I don't think anybody owns it. There are even several video tutorials on how to make one on YOU TUBE.
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone else, Randy. This quilt has been around FOR. EVER. And you can find it everywhere. In fact, I just got an email today that included this quilt, the Riley Blake variety, in it. Give me a break! I'm in if you continue to do this. Want to make it "yours"? Change the sizes of the circles and include fewer or less. Or even cut the circles into 5 or 6 parts instead of 4. I'm agree with 45th Parallel Quilter.....I'm pissed, too. This is quilting, people. Patterns are shared and copied and tweaked and new patterns come from it. If the women in our history had been so quick to OWN everything they did we wouldn't have a zillion of the patterns/blocks that we do.
ReplyDeleteI think the cold weather is making some people cranky.
ReplyDelete:) I agree that I have seen this block all over the place. I hope we can keep on with ours, just a little sew a long.
ReplyDeleteOK - I can't stand it. Nobody OWNS geometry any more than anyone owns separating egg whites or using kindling to start a fire. Unless Miss "I invented this" can show she used EXACTLY your unique fabric choices, stitch length, quilting technique, etc. You are free to use fabric and geometry to create what ever you like. I for one an grateful that you share, and I'm glad that you divorced that silly farmer.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all the preceding comments. Let's just do it!
ReplyDeleteI made this quilt years ago directly from the Country Threads book. Your directions for cutting out the circles are completely different as they advise rotary cutting the squares, folding them into fourths and then freehand cutting the circles. I can't see how you are possibly infringing upon their copyrighted pattern with your instructions. How many patterns of the nine patch are available worldwide?
ReplyDeleteI love the way you took responsibility for your actions. I think, (just my opinion), it would be kind to address your concerns to Connie and Mary of Country Threads. Then you would get an definitive answer.
ReplyDelete