Copyright on any creative work can be confusing, so we are keeping things simple when it comes to copyright of quilting designs:
Please feel free to use any of the designs shared in The Free Motion Quilting Project within your quilts. There are NO restrictions on where you can use these designs: for sale, show, gifts, or personal use.
Let me state that again: There are no restrictions on where you can use these designs when quilting them in your quilts.
The purpose of the Free Motion Quilting Project is to inspire quilters to use new, innovative designs in their quilts. It would be counter-productive to set limits on what you can or cannot make from this body of work.
Are Quilting Designs Able to Be Copyrighted?
All of the designs from The Free Motion Quilting Project represent ideas. Ideas, and I argue designs that represent ideas, are not subject to copyright.
Think of it this way: how many times in your life have you seen a spiral?
Spirals date back thousands of years. I have used this ancient symbol to create many free motion designs. This spiral quilting design, peppermint Candy is one example.
How in the world can I say "This spiral design belongs to ME" when it has existed for thousands of years? It is an idea, and ideas cannot be copyrighted (at least in the United States).
In essence, a spiral is a spiral is a spiral. It's ancient and beautiful and should be used anywhere it can, but I cannot claim ownership of it.
It is not mine. I do not claim it is mine and that you must credit me to quilt it. That would be silly and impossible to enforce.
Quilting and Copyright Misuse
Many quilters are misusing copyright by restricting the use of their quilting designs and quilt patterns or demanding attribution with their use.
As a friend of mine stated:
I reinterpreted it but what if she doesn't think so? Will I risk a lawsuit for stitching these into my quilt? Is my quilt even mine? Is some of MY quilt the 'property' of Leah Day, just because I learned from her? I can't possibly attribute everything in my quilt that came from somewhere else to everyone who would lay claim to it. Forget it!"
I completely agree. To demand attribution for every design you use on your quilts is impossible to enforce and ridiculous.
This also risks the growth and creativity of this wonderful craft. How many quilters would be afraid of using a design that looks too much like a pattern already posted to the Free Motion Quilting Project?
Let's Be the Most Creative Quilters We Can Be!
My goal when creating the Free Motion Quilting Project was to challenge myself and inspire quilters. I want us to be the most creative quilters we can be!
When you use quilting designs I've shared, you are not required to mention Leah Day or The Free Motion Quilting Project in any way.
However, it does help me out a lot when you do!
When you share the project and tell your friends about that crazy girl that stitches out hundreds of designs, it helps me stay in business and support my family. Here are a few ways you can help spread the word about the Free Motion Quilting Project:
- Link to your favorite designs on FreeMotionProject.com from your website.
- Share a free motion quilting presentation with your quilt guild.
- Use these quilting patterns in your quilts and compete in quilt shows.
- Share your favorite quilting tools from LeahDay.com on your blog.
I really appreciate it when you share and let others know you found my quilting tutorials helpful.
Attribution is not required, but definitely appreciated!
Please pay it forward and pay it back and let me know when you use the designs in your quilts. Tag me on Facebook or Instagram @LeahDayQuilting if you like so I can see the beautiful quilts you are creating.
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