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So our guild is itching to make another raffle quilt since we didn't last year. We asked for volunteers to lead the effort and have 1 person signed up (so far). Her statement to me was, "let me know what I need to do."

I have no idea! How do we go about picking a pattern that doesn't violate copyrights? My fellow board members would like the committee to make kits and have our members sew the blocks, then turn them back in. In the past, one person made the quilt so there wouldn't be a problem with inconsistent block sizes, but many of our members would like to participate.

I'd love to hear from those of you who have experience with this. Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom.

Easy answer IMHO is to pick an old pattern.
If you use a pattern in a magazine/book/off the internet, on the label just give credit.

I like this webpage for copyright questions/problems:

http://www.tabberone.com/Trade...htLaw/Patterns.shtml

Basically, making something from a pattern for yourself, to give away, or sell is not a violation of copyright laws.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

I was in charge of making a raffle quilt for our local hospice. We picked three fabrics (each 8"x8") and asked for volunteers to make a 12 1/2" block using two of the three fabrics in their block - rest of block was from their stash. We sold the fabrics for two dollars each to cover our costs. After we received all the blocks, we put them together with sashing we picked out, then had one person finish the quilt top - another donated their time in doing the quilting. Sold tickets and we made no less than $1400 per quilt - hospice did four quilts in four years. Everyone who made a block received a chance for a $25 gift certificate at our local quilt shop. It was a smashing success.
amiko

One sure way to avoid copyright violations is to use an original design. If you don't want to do that many designers will give permission to use their designs to make quilts for charitable causes. Just contact them (email works) and ask. Usually they just don't want people to sell (or share) their patterns.

Editing to add I just saw amiko's post. The idea of having each person make a block of their own choice and putting them into a sampler type quilt seems like an easy way to come up with an original design.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bozie,

If it's all pieced, I think that it would be safer to choose a pattern with a sashing or frames around the blocks, rather than block to block assembly. It's easier to trim to the same size if there is fabric around the pieced block.

If you have people who like to applique, you can alternate simple applique blocks with simple pieced blocks. That gives you a lot of bang for the buck.

When we did the quilts for hospice - we picked a theme for each quilt: Americana, Fall, Spring and Summer. Each quilt was a king size. Tickets were $3 for one $5 for three. On one quilt we had several blocks which were not 12 1/2 inches, so we put them on the diagonal and made a bed scarf which they could use over the pillows or in another room. This was long before bed scarfs became so popular.
amiko

I agree that an old pattern or original pattern is best. If the idea is to raise money for a cause, sell the fabric packets to your guild members. Then they feel obligated and you're sure to get fabric you want in the blocks. Batiks are wonderful eyecatchers and men tend to be drawn to them. If you show the quilt and sell tickets at events like farm shows and rodeos you'll get lots of men buying more tickets than women. Around here men also love boot quilts. It's an easy pattern and you can use novelty fabrics to best advantage. If you have a local college use their colors BUT beware using their logo fabric. It's copyrighted and the college expects a cut of the proceeds.

Stars, check with the girls from Maryland. They've done raffle quilts with good success. I have no ideas on what to make, but be sure to give yourself enough time to sell tickets and get the exposure to as many places as you can. Do not rely on guild members to carry the load on purchasing tickets, although they will certainly do their share if its a wonderful quilt. And that's the other idea. Make it a spectacular quilt, not just something put together to try to raffle off.

If each block is individual framed after they're turned in, you can adjust to correct the sizes. For example, these stars could vary in size but those frames are easy to add and give a consistent finished block size.

Another thing possibly worth considering...the size of the quilt. I am inclined to spend more money on tickets for bed sized quilts (queen). Some of the raffle projects locals have come up with, I've had less enthusiasm to support because I couldn't picture myself using the quilt.
Appeal to more people, make more money. Right?

Quilters love applique quilts for raffles. I buy tickets on all applique quilts hoping I get some of their work. If you have an expert quilter who loves applique offer their services you could ask them to do a medallion. Then the other guild members could do blocks around it. It gives them ownership and they'll want to help sell tickets. By purchasing a 9" fabric packet for $10 you could raise more on that fabric than what most guilds raise. But if with the purchase they're also given 10 tickets to sell for $10 you'll double it.

Thanks for all the ideas so far. I'm open to more also. The ones I've seen around here are truly spectacular, not just average. I like the idea of a medallion applique and framed, pieced blocks surrounding it. Queen sized sounds very good too. I adore batiks, but won't insist upon them just b/c I want our committee to enjoy some freedom.

I'm hoping our guild can get this going soon so there will be time to photograph the quilt and make postcards to advertise. We'll have the drawing at our booth during a street festival in Oct.

Our guild was set up to be non-profit and we're especially aware right now b/c a neighboring guild just have horrible tax problems. We really don't need a lot of extra money this year, but if we do have a successful raffle, we could book a prominent speaker in advance and have funds ready to cover them.

Thanks again and keep those ideas flowing!

ttt for others to see and help Kim

I agree with Sherry, an old pattern...I am more inclined to spend on an old fashioned quilt pattern than I am a modern one...we've only done one raffle here, and I printed the tickets out myself and added a mini pic of the quilt, we sold the tickets 2$ each or 3 for $5, we made just uner $1,000-$998 to be precise. Ours was queen sized...members each made a star block from blue, yellow and white...one lady volunteered to piece them into a top, and another quilted it...it was great fun and we hope to do it again soon

Well, drat, I typed a huge post and there's a trigger word.

I'll try again. *** This one went through. I have no idea what I posted in the other one. ***

Our applique society is on its third opportunity quilt. I helped with the first, and I've been in charge of the second and third.

I have had very good success with contacting a designer and asking for permission to use a pattern.

I will say that applique always catches the eye, and combining it with pieced blocks seems to please a lot of people. Bright colors with black or dark backgrounds seem to be very popular.

If you are planning to draw for it in October, you need to be working NOW. There always seems to be one person who can't get her block done for whatever reason, and you either have to wait, rework your design, or do it yourself.

Consider entering your quilt in a local guild show. They usually don't want you to sell tickets since you are competing with their quilt, but having a ribbon on it is really an eye-catcher. Guild meetings are the obvious place to sell tickets, but we also scout the local quilts shops for their sale days and try to set up there when they expect a lot of traffic. Having people take it and sell tickets at their workplace or other venues is good too.

We sell our tickets for a dollar each or six tickets for five dollars.

Please ask if you have other questions. I'm getting pretty experienced with this, since I'm on my second time around playing "nanny" to these things. I just finished our top today and it will be at the quilter next week (I hope) for our drawing in December.

Kim I'll send you out my information. Our guild puts out a quilt every year now.

ok Kim I sent you the info to your email.

Hey Stars, still thinking over this raffle thing?

One raffle I've participated in had a little twist to it. I am not sure I'm getting all the details right as I didn't set it up, but I'll try to remember.
Every person purchased a kit with the same 3 fabrics in it.
Each quiltmaker then made a block of her choice.
The blocks were displayed during the fair and then voted on. I think people like to "play games" (or maybe it's just the winning they like!) - anyway, maybe you could make it fun and allow the raffle ticket purchasers to vote on their block of choice in order to purchase a ticket. I mean, they still have to buy the ticket, but this just makes it kind of fun. You don't necessarily need to have prizes for the block-maker(s), bragging rights or a cute homemade ribbon would do.