The “Pandora’s Box” of Quilting

Update: 27 March:

Thanks to everyone for commenting and leaving your opinions -all of which are equally valid and interesting. I really think that this whole issue is something that as quilters we need to dialogue about.... it could effect any of us and I personally don't want quilting to 'look' or feel like this. By this I mean uneasiness and anxiety around the creation and exhibition of our work.

I did want to mention that I know the issue being discussed relates to the printing of an image on a tote bag for promotional reasons, however the printed image in question was not a re-print of the printed fabric, but was an image of a project which featured the fabric. Therefore, the question of quilters / designers/ printed fabrics and creation rights still stands as a concerning and I think unresolved question.

Here is an updated link that you might like to read if you have been following this issue:

http://www.ctpubblog.com/2012/03/26/a-few-thoughts-about-copyright-and-quilts/

Please read these blog links to see what I am talking about.

http://generationqmagazine.com/2012/03/notions-copy-wrongs-and-rights/

http://carolinapatchworks.com/blog/2011/11/17/an-interesting-read/

http://katespaindesigns.blogspot.com.au/

Imagine this: you design and create a quilt (or project) using commercially available printed fabrics. Perhaps you’re a well-known quilter publishing a book of your work and perhaps a fabric manufacturer sends you some fabrics to create your projects with. So far, this all sounds rather ordinary, yes? Now, imagine that the designer of the fabric range you used in your project sees your published book and decides to sue you, the quilter ($150,000) for breaching their licence. Unlikely? Impossible? Ridiculous?

I have been following the development of this very same scenario over the last week with great interest, concern and annoyed confusion.

I really feel that the Pandora’s Box of Quilting has had its lid pulled off…and the implications may not be nice for quilters.

• How often do quilters see a quilt pattern and decide to purchase the very same fabrics used in the original quilt? Very often in my experience.
• How often do quilters go out of their way to ask the designer what range of fabrics were used in a particular quilt? Very often in my experience.
• How often have you purchased a fat quarter with no selvedge or fabric manufacturer details (not the retailer) listed anywhere on the fabric? Very often in my experience.
• How often have you been pleased to know what range a fellow quilting blogger is using in a shared pattern or design? Pretty much always? Almost expect as much?

What are the implications of this situation? Does it mean that quilters are not able to create designs with commercially available printed fabrics free from the worry of being sued? Even when the fabric manufacturer sends it on to them? Are we all exposed to being potentially sued by designers who didn’t issue written permission or approval to us specifically to feature their fabrics on our blogs? Does this mean that, as a quilting blogger I am not allowed to show what fabrics I am using, creating and or simply like?

I don’t sell any fabrics and I don’t receive any monetary value from listing what fabrics I like or select for projects here on my blog. I know that the issue at hand is regarding a quilter publishing a book which included her projects being made up with a designer’s fabrics (which are commercially sold and available and in this instance were provided to the quilter for use), so my question is, if quilting fabrics aren’t allowed to be exhibited or shown or published as used examples without the permission of the designer…what are quilting fabrics for? Should we all be working with solids and hand dyes exclusively? Or are we simply not allowed to show and exhibit or publish any works which involve printed fabrics? And what are the implications for Quilt Shows and Festivals?

Surely quilted fabrics are made to be used in quilting and associated projects, so what’s the problem? Should designers have an avenue to sue quilters for promoting their own work using fabrics that were designed by someone else…and who’s designs were sold for the express purpose of quilting?

Anyone who follows my blog, website or is a member of my Yahoo Bom Group knows how seriously I take Copyright – it always matters. But is this really about Copyright? Surely designing a quilting fabric range means you expect quilter’s to use it?

This issue raises so many questions…for quilters and bloggers. If you blog, you are publishing.  So these questions are important.  It’s something I really think all quilters should be talking about, blogging about and expressing an opinion about.

Do I have to ask every single designer’s permission before sharing commercially sold fabric on my blog? Is that even possible? I couldn’t possibly discover the designer of each fabric range and writing to a manufacturer like Moda would take months.

This is my blog and this is my personal opinion. I sincerely hope that I don’t offend anyone because that is not my intention. But I am one of many quilters now questioning my design possibilities. I love finding new fabric ranges…will that have to stop now?

I have removed all Kate Spain’s fabric from my range, which is a shame because I love her work…but really, who needs the worry and heartache? And who wants to ask permission for every single fabric I use? I use hundreds of fabrics. Even in a scrap quilt??

Also, regarding selvedge’s on the fabrics ( when they are there), should they really tell us specifically what they mean by Rights Reserved? If something is Copyrighted, I am the first person to abide with it. However, I didn’t think quilting fabric was copyrighted to the extent that it couldn’t be shown once used.

What do you think?

WOW: Chilli Update!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays!

Today is a WIP update of sorts. I'm very happy to report that that chillis I planted a few months ago for my DH have grown nicely and are supplying the kitchen with chillis. The only suprise is that chillis above are sweet and have no heat at all, they just add a dash of colour to things. The rest of the chilli's are hot hot hot. Too hot for me!

This last chilli has mysteruiously refused to give us anything but leaves. Hopefully it will change it's mind next year!

Forget Me Not: Sun & Corn Flower Block Up Close

You asked for it...so here it is...details!

Here are some close ups from my Sun & Corn Flower Block
This applique design is 1 option of 2
from this month's Mystery BOM

Forget Me Not, Part 2

I created the sun and corn flowers with raw edge applique. I double fused the fabrics with fusible webbing in between. again, like the Peony block, this block is finished but not completed. it wont be completed until it's quilted at the end. it's also missing some embellishments. Like french knots in the sunflower head. And lots more thread work on the petals as they are currently unfinished.

If you've wanted to try colouring with pencils as an embellishment option, this is the block to try it on! The petals were beautiful before, but they really came to life when they were enhanced with just a few shades of yellow and orange. Make sure that you heat set your work if you do this. You can use any quality coloured pencil. I used Prisma. It's permanent once heat set and will not wear off.

Hmm...I do think this this sunflower is missing a little ladybug somewhere!

For The leaves and stems I used Floriani and bobbin work (thicker thread in the bobbin and then top stitched all the lines from the back, even the outline of the floriani edge so that the stitches on the right side show through, as you can see.)  This also helps me to turn the edges. At a later stage this will still be quilted...when I'm ready in the final stages.

Why the different techniques?

I love trying new things and I'm not afraid to experiment and seek out new ways of doing things. If there's a faster way to get something done, I'll try it. This doesn't mean that quality of workmanship and technique doesn't matter...it most certainly does! I love quality work, every inch should be 'just so' in my opinion. What it does mean is that there are several ways to achieve the same result in most things and in applique this is also true. Yes, you can mix needle turn and raw edge. You can use the freezer paper method with Floriani....do what works for you. Most of all, don't be afraid to try!

Forget Me Not: Peony Block Up Close

You asked for it...so here it is...details!

Here are some close ups from my Peony Block

This applique design is 1 option of 2

from this month's Mystery BOM

Forget Me Not, Part 2

There are still more details and embellishments to come. As I work through my 12 blocks in this Mystery BOM,  I will be creating each one to this 'finished' stage. When all 12 are finished, I will view the quilt as a whole before deciding on how to complete the blocks. By 'completing' I mean extra embellished stitches, embroidery and whatnot. I think there will be room for a few ladybugs or hidden things here and there...but can't say for sure until they are all lined up next to each other.

This is just how I work, if you have a vision for your own block - go for it!

This is also why my scrolls are being left blank, I'm still deciding how to script inside...and if I do it by hand, I want to do all the writing in one day so that my script doesn't change. You know, details, this quilt is all about details. Each month is about bringing 1x flower block to life and really taking care in whichever applique method you have chosen.

The applique method I used in this block is the Applique Freezer Paper Method, however instead of freezer paper, I used "Floriani Stitch N Wash Fusible, Water Soluble Tearaway"

To see a tutorial of the Applique Freezer Paper Method, it's right here on my blog,

click here to see it pop up in a new window. 

The peony petals have been enhanced and highlighted with pencil. See the pattern for brand info. It's such a simple touch which really gives the head depth. Simple and effective.

The Peony is an applique block from PART 2 of

Forget Me Not, my 2012 Mystery BOM

No, it's not too late to join in...go ahead and get in on the mystery!

Forget Me Not ...Part 2... is Lauched!

And this month in the mystery,

you will be choosing between two applique designs.

Peony

or

Sun & Corn Flower

You can only choose 1

Which will it be???

I know, I know, today's close up of the purple-ish stem was to throw you off the scent.

Those leaves and stems belong to the Peony. More close ups of both blocks tomorrow.

Have you decided on which applique method

you'll be using for this quilt?

If you'd like to view my Applique Freezer Paper Method,

click here and it will open up for you in a new window.

Part 2 is launched: available on my website & Yahoo Group only

Forget Me Not

is my current free mystery BOM

WOW: Sneaky Peek...what is it???

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well, a funny thing happened to me this morning.

I sat down to work on my WIP and I was so absorbed in my work that when my DD just walked in the door a few minutes ago, she couldn't believe I hadn't moved! 5 hours. That's what happened!

Too busy WIPPing to post about the WIP!

Completely lost in my work. Oh, the satisfaction! So, what's got my undivided attention this morning?? Only Part 2 of Forget Me Not, so here's a sneaky peek. You're all ready for Part 2 aren't you? It's launched tomorrow.

What do you think it is?

Any guesses what the first applique block might be??

Monday Already?

There's no time like the present time (or in my case, there's no minute like the last minute) to get things done. So today I decided that I better 'convert' the last of the remaining items from my personal patterns and turn them into something that other people can understand and use.

It feels like I have been preparing for Forget Me Not for months, which I suppose I actually have! Now that we are in Part 2 of the Mystery BOM this month, it's dawned on me that as I am making two at once, I had better get organised... I still have some other quilts and WIPs I'd like to finish this year as well. Hmm, that's the plan anyway.

So, who's ready to start the applique in Part 2 this month??

Forget Me Not

is my current Free Mystery BOM