She is an artist, creating beautiful work.  Her work deserves protection. Then, I think of copyright's rule that we don't judge creativity, that as long as a work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression it gains copyright. All quilts, whether as beautiful as Julia's or not, are protected by copyright as long as they meet the basic requirements of originality with a modicum of creativity.  I also think of the idea of compilation - selection, arrangement, and coordination.  In making her quilts, her selection, arrangement, and coordination of the fabrics -- the 100+ fabrics of color gradation in one, make amazing works of art that are a gift to her family and friends.

 

I think about how different copyright is, from patents and trademarks, and I think, that is the way it should be.  Any of us, every day, create copyrighted works, and they are all protected (now) automatically.  We are all equally artists, writers, creators.  We can choose to further protect our work by registration.  We can share it through Creative Commons, Pinterest or other means.  But we can also just not care that others are copying us.  But our works are all protected by federal copyright law, without large costs and expense (as in patents).  Copyright law by its nature is inclusive, flexible, and everywhere.

 

And of course, the continuing tradition of sewing, beginning at the public library with a class for kids.  When I was there, they were making a turtle from a pattern she found online.