I was asked by a neighbor if I would make a quilt to be raffeled off by the church as a fund raiser. She wanted to know how much I would charge, I told her nothing, that it would be my contribution to the church. Now.....what would be a good pattern to use for a queen sized quilt? I am looking for any suggestions. Thanks, Mary

I like sampler quilts for raffle quilts. They just seem to attract more attentinon. And I'd do them in fairly neutral colors, or go all out and do it all scrappy!

who is paying for the fatrics etc.....thread, quilting it etc.

I will supply the fabric, batting, thread, etc. As I said, the quilt will be my donation to the church for their raffel. I have plenty of stash that I need to use.

Can that church do a raffle?

Does it need to get a permit or anything?

Some states are really picky about raffles.

log cabin or a house quilt would use up a lot of stash!!and not to be to difficult! bless you for doing this!

i also would make it a lap size. how long have you been quilting,piecing?
i think a log cabin quilt...there are so many ways to lay it out...it would be fun to do the blocks, and then figure out how to lay it out!

What a great thing to do for the church...!

Whatever makes you happy. And color generally doesn't make much difference.

Lap sized for a raffle quilt????????

Most of us routinely make lap quilts for ill or elderly members of the parish. Personally, I'd never take a chance on a lap quilt.

If she was asked, I'm sure the church can. And in most states, that is the business of the church, not the donor.

And Indiana is one that will drive you to drink trying to meet all their "ifs, ands & buts"

There was just something in a quilting magazine (McCalls quilting Sept/Oct issue) about having a successful raffle. One of the things was to make sure the quilt was queen size and that it incorporated 8-9 different fabrics. If you only do 2-4 colors it gives people a reason to not buy a ticket "Those colors don't match anything in my house". Another thing they mentioned was having a little info sheet with the raffle about how much time went into making the quilt, how much it cost etc.

I know you asked specifically about a pattern and I'm not answering that for you... sorry :( I don't have a pattern idea, but I thought the 8-9 fabrics was important to mention. The article specifically mentioned that if it was a church raffle that "a traditional quilt is a must. Classic pieced designs are universally loved and, while not absolutely necessary, a little applique goes a long way."

Hope that info is helfpul to you :)

I'm the church member currently in charge of the annual raffle quilt. Believe me, they don't much care about the design or color.

BTW, ours awarded July 24, brought in a profit of $794. Pretty good for our little country church. 2nd and 3rd place were an afghan and a bushel of groceries.

I thought about the log cabin design. I have one that I made and it was very easy to put together. I will do the quilting on the machine tho, I hand quilted mine. Thanks!

I don't know....that would be their problem. They have an "auction" every year, of home made items, so I wouldn't think it would be much difference than a raffle.

No, I will make what ever design I chose, a queen sized quilt. They would apt to get better $$ for one larger than a lap quilt.

Interesting. However, in our case, the cost and man-hours would be difficult to calculate with so many people involved. This next one for our church will have to be based on the last set embroidered blocks in our possession. Several values of burgundy, some green, some blue, some gold.

A raffle is far more profitable than an auction. And generally far more regulated by the state. But that's something the church deals with.

Thanks!! I have patterns galore, so it would not be hard to find one that uses many colors. I may use embroidery machine to quilt it in the continious line quilting pattern. Thanks again. Mary

How about a double Irish Chain? Maybe in neutral and scraps so that it is colorful and fits many decors.

It is very nice of you to do that, and I am sure you can't go wrong with whatever you go with, I would only use as many colors in it as possible to appeal to as many people as possible.

I pulled that pattern also. I am still trying to decide on one. Thanks for your input. Mary

I am doing a queen topper so it's 60 by 60 and they can lay it on the bed with a neutral spread under it and ornamental pillows on top of it. I am doing it in blues/greens/purples and teals. Log cabin

When I need to whip something up quick, I do a Log Cabin.

I have made many quilts since 2002 to include two double wedding ring ones for two daughters, rail fense, churn dash and many others. So, the size quilt makes no difference to me, except that I think a queen sized one would be better for the raffle. I think more people would buy a ticket for a larger one than a throw size. Thanks, Mary

I agree with those who said Log Cabin. That pattern has alot going for it.
It looks great with alot of fabric variety so you could do scrappy or controled scrappy
The blocks can be arranged in may ways
It easy to make any size
Its a pattern that has appeal to just about everyone
Depending on how much time you want to spend .. is how wide you make the logs.

Thanks! The one that I made myself, I think the logs were like 2 1/2 " wide strips before sewing the logs. It turned out to be 1 3/4 wide after sewing. In fact I have it on my bed now. Take care, Mary

I think you're going to sell the most tickets with your choice of queen size. I think that using a broad color scheme and a traditional pattern will sell more tickets, too, unless your church is in the arts district of a major metropolitan area. Traditional colors and patterns remind people of "the good old days" and the quilt that was on grandma's bed. :)

Around the World, Log Cabin, Wild Goose Chase in a dark/light configuration instead of only two colors - so many would be great choices for a raffle. Best of luck and I hope this turns out to be the best you've ever made. :)

In our neck of the woods it pretty well expected that a raffle quilt will be at least queen.

MaryB, have you considered the uneven floral log cabin we've seen pictures of here on QB? Gorgeous and I don't know how anyone could turn down buying a ticket on such a quilt.

the floral log cabin that was made by someone here was just beautiful!
i have made 1 quilt for a raffle, it was a full size. i never really thought about a lap being to small for something like that. when i make another one, i will make a queen to bring in more money..and will also have to send it out to be quilted. i was thinking of it being quilted by me..which a full, is all i can handle on my sewing machine.
which ever pattern you choose, good luck! and post pictures please!

My Mom donated quilts to the church for years. They were full size quilts. Traditional in pattern. Information flyers should say what the raffle is for. Not just the church. If there is a specific purpose for the raffle it normally will do better. Her last quilt was to raise money for a new roof. The raffle raised $2500. The church is very small and in a rural area.

There was a topic here not too long ago from a Quilting Board member who recently wrote an article for a quilt magazine (I think it was McCall's) about raffling off quilts. If I recall correctly, she suggested traditional patterns and definitely queen size!

I know you haven't even made the quilt yet but can I buy tickets or chances, whatever they are called??? I'd love to have a home made quilt. I'm a new quilter, haven't even finished my first project. I think anyone who wouldn't want a home made quilt...well, I can heat the rocks rattling around in their heads, LOLOL, just kidding. I think the pattern should be your own. I'm sure they would appreciate anything you produce. I love log cabin quilts myself.

Our Church can not do a raffle , considered gambling.

or the disappearing 9 patch, goes rather quickly, and looks more difficult than it is.
That's a lot of work and material to 'give' away!

We just did one, and we did a sampler with about 7 different colors in it. I made 5 of the blocks (there were 5 of us ladies) and machine quilted it. It is for a handicapped Lutheran camp in northern SD. Here is a picture to give you an idea.

Beautiful quilt, mshollysd!

Mary I feel like I'm the right person to answer this since I'm in the process of making a quilt for a raffle (DD is trying to adopt and needs help). First do not choose a pattern that is time consuming (my first biggest mistake). Choose a block that is at least 12" finished (second big mistake). If you're good at set-in triangles, choose a block you can set on point - less blocks that way (thought of this after I had made some of the more difficult blocks, and of course they can't be set on point). Choose a color scheme that will appeal to the masses and try to use a traditional pattern. Fabrics nothing dull or nothing too bright. Good luck!

A take 5 is fast and easy ... has anyone suggested this..?

Here's the link to my post that includes a picture of the quilt that I just raffled off to help fund my participation in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer 3-Day, 60 mile walk.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-131135-1.htm

I was able to raise $2476 in about 60 days!! The quilt pictured is 84" x 104", but could easily be made larger or smaller. I used 30's reproduction fabrics and white, but I also made a similar quilt using only reds, whites and blues and much less scrappy. Good Luck!