I feel like a kid in a candy store. My Mother in-law gave me all of her sewing supplies- fabric 6 bins of fabric and 12 trach bags of scraps and her singer sewing machine and her tredle machine. Quilt books- patterns and Mags some dating back to 1950 lol the year I was born. Patterns that she used for her kids and and hers.I am the only daughter in law out of 6 thats sews and her 2 daughters don't sew. I didn't think I would ever get it all sorted out and put up but I did and then spent hours looking at all the books. Found something that is strange. (Some of the quilt patterns that are old one's from the 30-and 40 are on the web as new and original from some designers and not to be use except for personal use.) Strange as they are exactly a like right down to the number of pieces and the size and instructions to put them together. On well I guess when I change the colors that makes it original(LOL)

Mary-

I have noticed that some sites do have patterns for many old and traditional quilt patterns that are in the public domain. They do not own those patterns, however if they written directions for constructing them, those they do own own.

Any pattern that is in the public domain, you may share. You may not distribute their directions. It is very misleading, and is one of the reasons I am opposed to the whole notion of copyrighted quilt patterns. It is not in keeping with the spirit of the our quilting foremothers.

Sounds like your mother-in-law knows how much her things will be cherished.

Mary ... how wonderful! Meg is right ... she knows which person will most treasure her cherished sewing supplies ... may you make many lovely quilts from her gifts and may she be around many years to enjoy seeing you make them ...

Mary, How lucky you are! All that stash and machines too!

What a wonderful present..12 BAGS of scraps? that sounds like heaven to me!
On copyrighting, I agree with Meg and Pat. So are you going to make one of those 30's quilts? I have a couple of booklets from way back and ONE OF THESE DAYS, when I have time, I would like to try one. I did do the magic vine pattern for my mom which is a redo of the newspaper patterns from the 30's or 40's. That was a fun quilt ...

I was sorting some of the scraps out into piles last night and hubby said I had a shirt made out of that and that and I started laughing. They where about 10 pieces of it and he is getting a scrap quilt for christmas. His mother found some pictures of him with some of the shirts on and I'm going to put them on the back with photo fabric and his mother is going to write about the shirts and the time they where made. (2)of them are from feed sacks. He will be so proud of the history of them from his mother.

He will also be proud of a wife who loves him enough to make the quilt too. He is a lucky man to have two women who care so much
Have lots of fun with the fabric and patterns Mary Don't forget to take pics if you can

Jacqui

Oh how fun! That is going to be a great quilt! It's wonderful that you and your mother in law have such a fun project to work on together.