copycat

I like your idea of a picnic quilt. I saw one once with a checkerboard in the middle to play the game checkers.
You could include a picnic basket as well! It helps to give people ideas of how they can use the quilt and not worry about matching their decor. When I make baby quilts, I don't match the nursery, but do stroller or car quilts for on the Go. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

junegerbracht

I would make something that would catch the eye - the guild quilts I have seen that have been most successfully raffled are bright and cheerful. Quilters appreciate beautiful workmanship but unfortunately not the average person so much.

cgsumter

This is not about size, or pattern, but if you do anything in colors that support the most popular college or sports team, I think it would go well. Around here just about anything in UGA colors would sell.

profannie

Thank you all for your input!

klswift

First - when you donate it, it is gone - out of your control and you must accept that it may not get the money that it is worth. You may get lucky and the fundraiser has folks that understand and appreciate the work - but that would be unusual. You must just accept it as giving it away. I tend to make throw/tv/game size quilts about 54" x 54" (depending on the pattern). This is also the size that I sell for a decent price. Larger than that will rarely get the money it deserves. But, I do fairly simple patterns (keeping my time required down), my quilting fairly simple (again time) and NEVER buy material at retail price. Guarantee that if you buy retail, you will never recoup your money. Save that for your gift quilts. (Example of buying - this friday I will go on the hunt for all the halloween fabric I can find for next year. Most will be 80% off - both in stores and online. I will be paying around $2.50 per yard for fabric that was $13 per yard - some online sites will be even cheaper for 3+ yard pieces)

juliasb

I recently made a quilt for a church raffle and it went over well with a traditional block with an added applique to the center of each block. A color theme is well received. It sold for $250, I understand. I got different information from different people. It was a silent auction. It was a soft turquoise with mauves and and muted teals. I have also done a quilt that was a scrappy quilt. That sold for over $600. Again it was traditional blocks. Both of them were queen size quilts. It really didn't matter to me what the auction made from them. The joy was in making the quilt. Seeing it on display and watching the response of people looking at it was the reward.

Rose_P

As a shopper at some quilt shows over the years, it seems to me that the miniature art-type quilts get the most bang for the buck. The investment in materials can be slight compared to anything bigger, and if many of the shoppers are likely to be quilters or crafters, they may be more inclined to buy something that is unique and creative, but not too big and not in the category of "I-could-easily-make-that-myself'. When people are shopping for something for display in their homes, they tend to go for things that express individuality. A handmade item that's not like hundreds of others will be a bigger draw. Also, utilitarian items, such as a set of placemats or a table runner, may have more potential buyers than a big, expensive quilt. A lot would depend on the nature of the shoppers. If it's a general group from the community they might go for things that have a local theme, such as something using licenced sport fabric or colors for a nearby college or high school.

leaha

I have 3 queen size quilts for raffles the first was for the quilt guild I started in Oregon, it was the wagon tracks pattern for the centennial of the wagon trains coming to Oregon, we raised $1200. a good start for our little guild of 8 members for our first show 114 quilts, the second was to raise money for a city park in a super small town (59) pop. we made around $800. and this last one was to raise funds for machines for our 4H, we had $1000. worth of tickets and the raffle was to be held when all the tickets were sold. the pattern was blue Ohio stars and lime green 9 patch on black background, a gal from Ha. won the quilt and 4H got 3 more machines. I guess a lot depends on how you set up your raffle, and how many pre event tickets you sell.

trolleystation

I have found that making a quilt that is not too feminine is best. If it appeals to men there will be less negative remarks when the women wants to buy tickets. Throw size is good as is could be used as a sofa throw, bed runner or dorm quilt. This size is also good for teens to young adults. I have been making our church bazaar quilts for over 20 years and we make $800+ every year. Good Luck with your endeavor.

cashs_mom

In my experience, it's better to raffle a quilt than auction it. People think $100 for a queen size quilt is a good price because they can buy one at Walmart for less. I bought a quilt from dachshund rescue for $40 (the beginning bid). I actually added more to it and donated $200 because I knew there was almost that much in fabric in it. It was throw size and made with batiks.