Quilt auction

[pdesnp]

Hi all,
I have a grandchild with Down Syndrome. A friend and myself are going to make a quilt to auction in Decemeber, at the local Down Syndrome Society chapter holiday party. We are going to make the Orion's Star quilt using the logo colors. Anyone have any good advice on how to go about auctioning a quilt to benefit the organization. Our theme is going to be "Our shining stars". Any tips or advice would be greatly welcomed.
Thanks!

[lorettav]

You should put a price on the quilt and tell the auctioneer that you will not take less so he can start the bidding at that price. Hope you get lots for this worthy cause.

[debtief]

How many will be at the party? You might consider instead, making it a raffle and getting society members to sell tickets during the month before. You could also show the quilt and sell tickets at the party, and draw the winner at the end of the night. You know your own group. Consider which would raise the most money. Good Luck on raising lots for these great kids! Please post pictures. I for one would love to buy a raffle ticket for it!. Deb

[erin]

Another suggestion would be to ask for a donation to enter raffle style. We've found we get more money by asking for a donation instead of a set price.

[Marilynsgrammy]

I agree with the raffle idea.. maybe local business would help by selling tickets for you...especially if there are a lot of mom and pop type businesses.... maybe a business or two could donate other raffle / auction items....

we gave a benefit dinner for a person in our community who had medical bills... we had an auction and a raffle... businesses donated little things like ice chests and flash lights for the raffle... when an item was won from the raffle most people would say auction it off then they would auction the raffled item.. it was very profitable....

we also had a desert auction once for our elementry school... the cute kids would walk around showing the bidders the pies and cakes... and their precious smiles really boosted the bids.... maybe your kids could do something like that???

good luck.. hope you make a million...

Chriss

[TeresaK]

I did an "Opportunity Quilt" where I sold tickets and raised over $3000 for my daughter to walk in the Susan B. Komen Cancer Walk a number of years ago.
The local Golf Course was holding a tournament and he said I could set up a table with tickets.
I also went to businesses.
The local grocery store let me set up a table there on a friday/saturday
My church was also involved.
Hope this helps. I know you will do great!.
Maybe I could get a ticket?
Teresa

[bethstreet]

We have always found you can get more through "raffle" than through auction because people are willing to take a chance.. and the audience is much broader although you have to work a bit harder... dont forget to visit all the guilds in your area they are usually really good about buying the 6 tickets for 5 dollar deals... Good Luck!!

[quilting-nanaof5]

a raffle is a much better idea. We raffle a quilt off each year and make alot of money for a quilt guild.
Maybe the girls here would send you a block and you could make 2 full size quilts. If each of us sent you a 12" block.
In our quilt guild we make a queen size, 2nd is a twin size and 3rd is a baby quilt. So people has a chance to get some type of quilt 3 times.

[shelly322002]

quilting-nanaof5, that's a great idea!! plus i agree, raffle, not auction... gives you longer to sell tickets and you raise much more money!!
take a picture and print it off onto A4 paper, and leave it around shops/ cafes (anywhere that is happy to sell tickets for you) with a stack of raffle tickets for them to sell.
over here we need to buy a raffle licence because we take the 'raffle' outside of our quilting venue i.e shops, cafe's etc... but it's worth it. you also need to spend money in advance for the printing up of tickets. and you need to add a 'charity organisation number'. all this needs to be looked into to make it legal.
IT IS WORTH IT THOUGH!!

i would expect it to be similar over in the USA...

i'd happily send over a block for you to add to a further quilt
love jacquie xxxxx