08/06/2026
The Stash's Thoughts on AI
AI has certainly caused a lot of debate, and for many reasons: environmental impacts, the drain on energy grids, excessive amounts of water used, taking jobs from humans, scamming buyers, violation of copyrights and intellectual property theft, shifting the definition on what it means to be creative, etc.... There aren't many spaces in our lives that have not felt the impact of AI, and some would argue that it is not all bad, however, the jury is still out on that. The world of quilting has not been immune to its impacts.
I would be lying if I said that I have never used AI. I am certain that just using this social media platform makes me guilty of that. I have also learned more about AI and its impacts since I first explored that technology a few years ago. It is impressive to be able to haul up an image or a design or a recipe or whatever you can type into the prompt box, but that also is terrifying.
As a teacher, I hear so many parents lamenting things like the "new math" curriculum and the fact that cursive writing is no longer formally taught in schools. Imagine, what AI will do to creativity and critical thinking skills if we allow it do the work for students at the drop of a text prompt.
The quilting world is already dealing with rampant AI. Designers are finding their original works being recreated by companies using AI and then digitally printed and sold or sold as patterns to unsuspecting quilters who get PDFs in their inbox with a pattern that is impossible to make because AI can't accurately test a pattern like us mere mortals can. Jo, from Thimble and Needles in Australia, wrote a blog post about this issue that every quilter should read: https://www.thimblesandneedles.com/blogs/blog-and-tutorials/how-to-identify-ai-generated-quilt-patterns-and-avoid-stolen-quilt-designs?srsltid=AfmBOorzjCojI7IJprC07D35bxiFpN9hs27L6qegt1D5HBfgn5EYbPxw
I have also witnessed a rise in the number of quilts that are being created with AI artwork that is digitally printed as panels, sold through online places like TEMU. Row houses that look like downtown St. John’s but could be from Amsterdam or Reykjavik - close enough I suppose if it costs $5 a panel. But that certainly does make it difficult for designers like us who create from our imaginations and our five senses in traditional ways like drawing and painting. Of course, we use technology to process the final images because that is the way of the world, but all our artwork is original and human derived.
And then there are the advertisement posters...those AI created posters that all look alike. It is disappointing to see quilters and local quilt stores using these to advertise events and promotions. Here is why. First, it lacks originality and the posters create almost a negative Pavlovian response in people who are averse to AI (which I feel (and hope) are most creatives). We want to see your work, even if that is a pic of a handwritten piece of paper or something you created in PowerPoint or Canva (minus their AI features). I am so numb to AI posters now that I look the other way or scroll on by. That's not really the response you want from potential customers, is it? Secondly, when you feed the AI machine your prompts, you empower it to take more and more control. We're fattening up the beast to come devour us at a later date, so to speak. Every time AI is used to create something, human creators lose out. Creating art exposes our humanity. It allows us to share stories, build connections, and create community. There's a reason why quilters create quilting bees and guilds, and it's not for technology. I am always amazed by how many people come to workshops I teach and tell me that they are really there for the connection. The project is always second priority. I used to fret that I was not doing enough to get participants through the project in the allotted time, and then I realized that the interactions with each other in this creative space and activity was the event they showed up for. We need to remember that, before we find ourselves alone in front of a computer prompting Claude or Gemini or ChatGPT to be our only quilting buddy. - Corey
Learn how to spot AI generated or stolen quilt patterns before purchasing online. Discover red flags in quilt photos, listings, reviews and seller shops so you can buy quality quilt patterns with confidence.
