Cut flannel or 100% cotton fabric into 8-inch squares.

Cut batting into 6-inch squares. Whether making blocks to contribute or only able to donate the batting, please label type of batting used as well as loft.

To make squares, sandwich one 6-inch square of batting between two pieces of flannel/fabric (centered), with right side of flannel or fabric facing out (like you would a regular quilt). Starting at a corner, sew an "X" across top of block diagonally. Do not sew around sides of the square. These seams will be closed up when they are joined to other squares in the quilt.

To make an entire quilt, sew "sandwiched" blocks into rows of 6 each with one-inch seams. Join rows, matching seams of blocks. Sew around entire quilt’s diameter, continuing to use one-inch seam. Adding a one-inch long back stitch will strengthen outer corners.

Clip seams every ¾" to 1 inch. Be careful not to cut seam threads. But approximately 1/8" away from seams. Shake clipped quilt vigorously (outside suggested), washing/drying gives the quilt the soft, shaggy appearance. Using a commercial laundromat is highly recommended. Cleaning the lint trap with frequency during drying time will extend the life of your home dryer. After drying, shake quilt again to remove excess loose threads. Isn’t it beautiful? A suggested Web site to visit for excellent detailed instructions on creating a "shaggy quilt" is located at http://www.quiltsville.com/Shaggy.html.

When is the last time you shoplifted something? Have you stolen a car lately? How about robbed a bank? All of these things seem like silly questions, and certainly are not the behavior of our law-abiding customers!

You might be quite surprised to learn that you may actually have broken the law more often than you think. You might be even more surprised to discover that in the near future you could very well be prosecuted!

I’m referring to copyright infringement, a hot topic among pattern designers, cross-stitch, needlepoint, and quilt stitchers alike. With the advent of the Internet, simple "friend sharing" has been taken to new heights. No longer is sharing limited to lending a book or pattern to a friend next door. Today, many "friendly" quilters or quilt groups see sharing as a harmless activity that hurts no one; however, this practice can very well put a small designer out of business.

Suppose one quilter takes a class, then shares the pattern and class instructions with her quilting groups. The group then shares these materials with a friend, who shares it with another friend, who posts it on the Internet. You can see how the originator of the copyright has essentially been deprived of a significant source of income. And that is against the law.

Designers make their living selling copyrighted patterns. They are not about to take this in stride! Many of them have banded together to form a legal defense fund in order to protect themselves from pattern swappers. Large publishing companies, as well as smaller designers, have also begun to actively fight back by pursuing offenders with legal action. To date this has mostly been in the form of cease-and-desist letters to groups (including Guilds) and Internet service providers who host web sites where pirated designs appear.

As a shop owner, I would personally encourage you and any groups you are involved in to act responsibly. Purchase the required books and patterns needed for classes that you take. Do not share or publish patterns or instructions in any organization newsletters without the express permission of the copyright holder. Guild officers must familiarize themselves with the law. Article I, section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to secure and enforce copyrights for authors and inventors, including pattern designers.

By following the laws in place, we can keep the quilting industry healthy and protect the livelihood of the independent designers whose projects and designs we enjoy.