Question about Fat Quarter Baskets for Quilt Show....
 

I am in charge of making baskets of fat quarters for raffles at our next Quilt Show. I have been collecting donations of fat quarters at meetings. I put about 75 fat quarters in a basket usually, and for our last two quilt shows I ended up with 3 baskets of fat quarters to raffle off.

I tell my fellow quilters that I will cut their fabric to fat quarter size if they want to donate larger pieces. However, this time I have received quite a few 1/2 yard and 1 yard fabric pieces. I am finding it hard for me to cut these down to fat quarter size. So many patterns call for WOF that I think a half yard might be more welcome than fat quarters.

My question to you is "Would you find a basket of 1/2 yard pieces or 1 yard pieces something you would buy a raffle ticket for?" I believe I will still have 3 baskets of fat quarters, which is what my guild is used to. (I am calling this a raffle thing, but I last year the fat quarter baskets became part of a Coffee Can Auction and folks bought tickets and could try to win a variety of items being raffled off.)

I have asked my fellow Quilt Show Committee members what they thought, but I am looking for more opinions before I cut fabric up.

Thanks for any input.

Dina

I'd take chances on fats or halfs anyday. that's what attracts me to those baskets. the more the merrier for me. I took chances on 3 yard cuts, no one took chances on or very few people took on them. they seemed to want the variety.

I wouldn't see a problem with mixing 1 yard and half yard pieces in with the FQs. It's all fabric.

Not unless I had a specific use for it. The nice thing about pre-cuts is I get several different fabrics at one time. Whole yard cuts would mean 1/4 the number of different fabrics.

Who does like fabric here, the more pieces the better. Not to small but fat quarters are great!

That is a tough question to ask me since I am use to getting the scarps from RK.

I prefer at least 1/2 yard cuts - - -

Overall - I find FQ and smaller cuts annoying - perhaps because I am in the wash before cutting camp.

I wouldn't care, I would just like to be able to get a chance of getting fabric lol, I'm in the UK so don't really have a stash as fabric expensive here, I stock up when I come to us but usually use it up between visits :thumbup:

I"m with bear on liking 1/2 yard cuts. I like a bit more fabric than a fat quarter in case I need it.

Can you make baskets with mixed cuts? I would bid on a basket with both half yards and fat quarters.

Just for the record - I would not refuse FQ - if smaller pieces are offered, I take them!

But when buying, 3/8 yard is my preferred minimum.

Yes, larger than FQ cuts would attract me!

This sounds like a good idea. Thanks, everyone, for your help. I still am not sure what I am going to do, but I do have some time yet. Our Quilt Show is in October.

Dina

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*** Yes, I would be interested for scrappy quilts.
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How about a yard of solid then smaller cuts? That way you would have background and/or sashing to go with the others.

I like the 1/2 yard cuts as I often need the extra width.

You requested fat quarters or yardage to be cut up into fats. I would stick with the plan this time around. Check with your group about it at the next raffle ahead of time. Jmho

I'm not a fan of fat quarters and would be more likely to be attracted to the basket with wof pieces. I have quite a few fat quarters but never use them--afraid I won't have enough for a project and then I'd be stuck.

I like the idea of mixing them. I would definitely take a chance on a basket!

Thanks for your suggestions. I really appreciate it. I am not personally interested in fat quarters, and I think that influences my thinking...

Dina

You can bet that I would...................

I'm not nuts about fat quarters. I find WOF pieces more versatile. Can always cut it down to a FQ.

I prefer yardage to FQs, so yes I would buy a ticket for 1/2 yad and yard cuts over FQ basket, assuming I liked the fabrics!!

I see no problem with a basket of many fat quarters and a few 1/2 yards. It still gives a variety of fabrics and the chance to use some WOF. Best of both worlds!

I would definitely buy a ticket for half yard or one yard pieces, as well as the fat quarters. Hope you raise a lot of money for your guild.

As a long time quilter, I am not a huge fan of the fat quarters. I love to look at them though and once, I used to buy a bunch, but now I find the larger pieces are much more practical even if I only use part of it......I can always use the scraps left over for a string or scrap quilt! I would definitely buy a raffle ticket for either 1 yards or 18" by WOF. All would have to be WOF though.

Yes I would bid on a basket of fat quarters just to get a variety of different fabrics. I have a tendency to buy same color-ways all the time.

I have a bunch of FQ's 'cause I can't resist them but I get frustrated because I usually need more yardage. My minimum is 1/2 yard, so I would prefer a basket with at least a mixture of sizes. At your next meeting you might talk to the folks in the guild and ask how they would feel if you left some of the pieces larger.