Coming up this Saturday in your regular post, I write about two cases where my quilt image was found and used by someone through the internet. In the first case, the person contacted me and asked to use the image, for which I gave permission. In the second, a company used my image of the sea turtle quilt above to produce ersatz quilts made in China without my permission. Defending copyright is especially important as we post more and more of our images to the internet. It’s also important that we don’t reward companies and individuals when they violate copyright.
Previously, I wrote from the other side of the copyright issue. In these two Throwback Thursday posts, I write about using images (usually photos) for fabric collage. When is it okay to use an image found on the internet and recreate it in fabric? The answer is simple: If you can’t get permission, don’t.
But read the posts anyway. They’ll get you warmed up for the new post this coming Saturday.
Copyright and Copywrong: Finding an Image for Fabric Collage
Fabric Collage Master Class
For instructions on the entire fabric collage process, you can purchase the Susan Carlson Fabric Collage Online Master Class Manual. Using video, photos, and text I take you from soup to nuts, beginning to end in creating your own fabric collage masterpiece.
Serendipity Quilts for Sale
My book on fabric collage, Serendipity Quilts, is back in stock! The price is $29.95 plus shipping. For a signed copy click the button below. Note: If you want a inscribed copy (as in “To Jane”) I have to be home to do it, so you may want to check my teaching schedule. Otherwise your order may be delayed.
Thank you for writing about copyright. I live near an ocean and often grapple with “Am I stealing someone else’s work?” A palm tree, a far-off island, ocean waves: it has been done a million times. It is good to adapt personal guidelines on what might be stealing versus what might be un-original but inspired by a personal experience.
Hi Susan-
I am hoping to hang a quilt I made, using your fish pattern, that I started in Harpswell (2016?). It’s for a local library show and will not be for sale.
How exactly should I label it?
Am looking forward to the post on Saturday!
MLF
Hi Merrilee,
Typically, if a quilt is based on a pattern, the maker of the pattern is given credit. “Based on a pattern by ____.” It’s a little murkier when it comes to quilts started in a class. I often see my students say something like, “Quilt begun in a fabric collage class with Susan Carlson.” I appreciate that recognition, however, I don’t require it. It depends in part on how much you did in class or how much influence you think I had on the finished piece. If you did almost all of it on your own, then you might skip that. If I had a hand in helping you with significant portions of it, then maybe mention me. And thanks for pointing out that the quilt is not for sale. As you know, my patterns are for personal use only. Though I sometimes make exceptions upon request, especially if the sale benefits a non-profit.
Thank you for the information. It was very helpful.
I have read the posts “Copyright and Copy Wrong” and today’s blog post about copyright and permission. My question is this: after receiving permission from an artist to “interpret their painting in fabric,” how much freedom do I have to make changes. Can I flip the image, change colors, or if the work is a close-up of part of an animal and I want to add more of the body, do I have that right? Thank you so much for all you do teach us and to support our artistic endeavors. Cindy
Hi Susan,
Have had you book for many years and looks like my mom and I will be finally getting around to attempt a Polka Dodo based on your quilt. Just wanted to see if you are ok with that. They will be for personal enjoyment as we love the fabric collage technique.
Thanks, Ray Schryver
There are some quilts that I keep aside as my one-of-a-kind art quilts. They’re made as artwork for myself and I don’t share them as patterns. Polka Dodo is one of those quilts, and you’ll see I have not provided a pattern for it on my patterns page. You’re not the only one who has asked me this question, and I appreciate the desire to re-create something you find attractive. Here’s the answer I always give: If you feel inspired by Polka Dodo that’s great! However, design your own pattern to work from. There are plenty of design resources online—look especially for those old etching sort of drawings that were made back in the 1700 or 1800’s which are now in the public domain. I have instructions on my blog for how to make a pattern as well as information about how to find copyright-free images. I’m fine if you’re also inspired to use the idea of polka dots if you want. But I think you’ll learn more about the process if you make your own design. I’d rather encourage people to do their own piece of art than copy mine. Thanks.
Thanks so much, Susan. This is certainly the most useful land easy to understand explanation of copyright I have seen or heard. A note about Dover, their most recent publications have been copyrighted! Carol