(Try saying that five times fast.)
When you make quilts for auctions, raffle, etc. Some kind of cause to raise money for something so you don't know the exact client. What kind of pattern do you use? And what colors?

I ask this because I worked at a camp summer 2009 and will be working there again this summer and every Autumn they have quilt auction to raise money for the camp. I would love to make a quilt for the auction but I don't know what kind of pattern to use or what fabric choices would be best. I made somewhere around 10 quilts and they have either been for me, or the person I'm making it for picked the fabrics they wanted...My favorite color is orange, so almost every quilt I make has to have orange in it, but I realize that not everybody loves orange as much as I do.

Anyway, What do you recommend and why. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

What type of camp? Maybe pick fabric that represents camp Like if it is a general lets go camping outdoors type fabric with wild life, trees, ect or a Sport camp with
sporting fabric. Or a science camp with fabric that represented the sciences, then you could plan your design around the fabric If Orange is not apropate for the Quilt use it on the label.

If the fund raiser is in the fall why not make a fall quilt. Thus orange problem solved:) Just a thought.

I'm working on one right now for a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation fundraiser. It's a simple disappearing 4-patch with bright, bold colours and geometrics. I was looking for something bright and cheery.

The JDRF doesn't have a logo or theme to incorporate into the pattern ... for an autism event I'd do a puzzle quilt :)

Orange is one of the main colours in this one - bright blues, vibrant greens and glorious orange.

Am making one for a non-profit. They said use whatever I wanted so went with a trip around the world pattern and bright colors. The only real stipulation was that they wanted sunflower fabric in it - the sunflower is part of their logo. No problem there as I have approximately 15 sunflower fabrics. I am donating the batting to get rid of older, terrible polyester batting and the backing - again terrible color but gift from MIL so can't just gift it away. I will be reimbursed for the thread and the fabric for the top. Am in the process of selecting fabrics for it -probably seriously tomorrow. Right now am just thinking of possibilities.

You could do an Autumn quilt that way you could put some orange in it and it would work. (See my Avatar) I buy raffle tickets for quilts whether I like it or not. If I win, sometime's I'll give it as a present and other times I just can't part with it.

My first quilt that I purchased was an applique quilt made by the Ohio Reformatory for Women quilt group. They had some displayed at the Union County fair and I saw it on a Sunday morning and took it off display and hid it till I could get back with the money when they were open. (On Sundays they open later.) The quilt was bright flowers, morning glories I think.

As you can see, I like reds, browns, creams, oranges and all shades in between. Follow your heart. Whatever you choose will be a hit.

I once saw a tent pattern with a 3-D flap. It was really cute.

Maybe you could ask what kind of quilt and what pattern brought in the most money in previous years. There is no sense in making a masterpiece if a simple quilt is what the buyers desire. I will admit that I gear my contributions to such affairs to the buying audience.

How good of you to do this for your camp. I have given several of mine to Hospice Consignment Shop and they raffle them off. Gave one when they were having a luncheon and asked that they have a drawing for the volunteers and give it to one of them. They do something I cannot do, so I in return did something they don't. Whatever you decide, it will be fine as it is made from the heart for a cause you believe in.

i give lots of quilts- they are made topic related to the organization they are going to---
fish/sealife/beach stuff for the swim school-
eye spy- games- play for quilts for kids, linus project ect
book related quilts for the library
hope related quilts for the medically related projects
stars, patriotic, americana for the military...
ect...each quilt is as individual as the recipients may be

I have made 3 for auctions for UAMS & the first one was a hexagon type using Race for the Cure fabric/The 2nd one I used all purples & the last one is a T=shirt one using Race for the Cure T*shirts. I think using the most current of colors would help also.I have always hand quilted them but this last one I will have machine quilted,want to see if it brings in as much $ as the others. You get the warm feelings doing charity quilts & thats what I love most!!

Holiday quilts are always nice. Halloween or thanksgiving will let you use that orange, but Christmas would be good too.

maybe sports team or school colors?

Crossed Canoes if it is an outdoor camp. I would use rich blues, greens, browns and golds.

Trip Around the World is one pattern that most people love. You can use lots of colors and even sneek in a little orange if you want. This pattern would be great in warm, fall colors to keep the winter chill off. Your signature block could represent the theme of your camp. I love to use Eleanor Burns "Quick Trips" pattern. Good luck with your project!