So, what is your first thought when you begin to rummage around in your brain for a plan to start a new quilt and draw a blank when it comes to the design part?  If it is one of "Oh, no, what am I going to do!", then this article should provide some useful information for you.

     Quilt design is one of the hardest aspects to tackle (with quilt color coming in right behind it!).  When it comes right down to it, most often quilters simply use a pattern that is already in existence and are somewhat fearful of designing their own.

     Hopefully, this article shall be a jumping point for those of you that have had the "design" bug bite you.  Perhaps with a few inspiration tips, you can bite back!

      How, and where, then, does one even begin to start the design?  This is "the" question of the century for quilt designers.  The best advice that I can give is to share a few of my very own tips for designing.

     I could simply sum it up in one single sentence, however, I would never do that to you!  Although... if I did, it would say, "Simply look around you"!

     Here are several basic places that I look to for inspiration (be sure to read the copyright disclaimer below):
 

	Fabric Designs - Where better to start than the fabric store?  I look at the patterns in fabric for inspiration.  I sometimes see a pattern that gives me an idea for another pattern (which is, indeed) the case most of the time.
	Linens, Rugs, Carpet Patterns, Etc. - Just as mentioned above with the rug I found this week, I am always on the lookout at the patterns found in these (and similar) products.  Sometimes, one may have to look for a pattern that is, at first, invisible to the eye.  This means that the pattern may be a tone-on-tone pattern or an engraved/carved pattern and not readily apparent with a mere glance.  This is especially true with carpet patterns.  I sometimes see a pattern used in carpeting that would make a stunning quilting pattern (after the quilt is made), too.
	Tile (Flooring, Wall, Outdoor, etc.)  - Ah, this is a favorite!  I am constantly looking at floors!  I once copied a simple tile pattern off of a restaurant's floor while waiting for dinner.  My best friend was shocked, then watched in awe.  I wonder where that sketch is... I can almost see it in my mind's eye!
	Windows - Yes, I said windows.  Especially stained glass windows!  I also have a sketch of the leaded-glass front door of my last home and I need to copy the pattern on my mother's front door!
	Furniture, Home Decor, Etc. -  The pattern etched into an old cedar chest would make a truly unique quilting design.  A stained glass mirror that I purchased in Maine a few years ago gave me a great idea for a quilt pattern and is now a work-in-progress appliqué pattern.  Even lamp shades (especially Tiffany-style) have potential!
	Nature - This is the most common place to look for inspiration.  Just look around at all of the beauty in the world and one can literally find thousands of designs worthy of a quilt.  Each person has his/her own special niche with nature.  For me, it is in flowers, birds, and butterflies.
	Jewelry - Okay, given that this one may sound the strangest, but a lot of my floral appliqué patterns have come from pieces of jewelry that I have seen (mostly pins and pendants).  Just an idea!
	Photographs, Paintings, Murals - One of my floral appliqué patterns came directly from a photograph of a pansy that I took in my front yard several years ago.  I enlarged the photo and traced the simplest of the lines.  There have been several pieces of art (especially modern) that have inspired me, but, oh, if I only had the time!
	Book, Magazine Covers/Ads - Look at pictures!
	Road Signs, Billboards, Etc. - Okay, so this one is stranger than the jewelry.  The idea for the All-Season Holiday Quilt to be octagonal came while I was sitting at a typical red stop sign with eight sides!  Even the inspiration for my online name, Sregora, came from a billboard ad!
	Everywhere! - Again, while sorting through my storage, I found an item that struck me as being the perfect floral wreath appliqué.  I hate to even say this, but it was a burial wreath.  Morbid, yes.  It would work and no one would know, unless, of course, they read this article!

     Copyright is a whole different article.  I do want to state, however, that as long as a piece of work is yours (you took the photograph, painted the art, etc.), you have no need to worry about copyright.  In most cases, any other item that you find for inspiration is probably fine, as long as it is not a copyrighted design.  Be especially careful with quilt patterns.  I once saw a woman sketching a quilt at a quilt show and the quilt owner stopped her dead in her tracks with the scary words "copyright infringement".  There is a legal percentage of a copyrighted work that must be changed before you can call a new work based on an idea from that yours.  This percentage is high (somewhere around 80%, I think?).  Please note the underlined portion above.  You cannot take a copyrighted work and simply change approximately 80% of it and call it yours.  It must be a new work based on an idea from it or based on your own rendering of that work (your own drawing of the artwork, for example).  The best way, in my opinion, to help make an idea yours is to add to it, not take away from it.  When new work is added, it shows your own individual creativity.  The most important guideline regarding copyright is this:  If you are unsure of the copyright, contact the owner!  Even my Web site has copyright.