It’s that time of year when my local guild gives quilts to the fire fighters Toy and Joy program: doll/teddy bear quilts for the toy program and baby quilts for the emergency vehicles’ use when evacuation of the little ones is necessary. Previously the guild gave 100 of the baby quilts; the fire fighters told us they could use double that many. I have five tops–each is 36 x 36, the size requested. The first three are from my collection of lotto block winnings. This last batch must have been from a blue and yellow month.
This first one was made the easy way, all lotto blocks. The Sunshine Online Quilt Guild (now on MeWe.com) is a friendly group that makes quilts for two charities: Wrap a Smile and Quilts Beyond Borders. The lotto is a monthly project. Those who want to participate make blocks in pairs; each pair is an entry. One stays with the coordinator who makes heaps of quilts from them for each of the charities, and one goes into the “pot.” The winner of the “pot” is free to do whatever they want with their bounty.Sometimes we give them to the two named groups; sometimes, as this time, locally.
The next two needed filler.
Now, adding four squares isn’t a big deal in itself; it is schlepping the bins of fabric to get to the one that has the relevant fabric that slows me down. For this sailboat one I have some anchor print flannel for part of the backing. I’ll add a piece to make it the right size. Luckily three of the five will have backing made from single pieces, but then my stash pieces got smaller.
I haven’t played lotto for a while. The novelty of finding ways to use a collection of random blocks has worn off, and I now prefer designing the whole quilt.
Back when Sunshine had a retreat we were all making blocks for the retreaters to assemble. I kept 9 for a baby quilt.
It is good to have a dark quilt top because some of the flannel I was gifted is dark. It will go fine here. It looks like I have used two shades of blue, but it is all from the same piece: just cut in different directions. If I had it to do over, I’d have split the border top and bottom better. I was aiming to keep the off-centered look, and overdid it I think.
This last one is from scraps.
I even remember the project that left two of the fabrics: the argyle print came from a group project (here) , and the domino dot fabric purchased for use (here)–but used here. The blocks are 6 inches finished; the scraps were large.
There is one lone lotto block left. It is a butterfly pattern and will stand alone nicely in a doll quilt, should there be time.
Linking with Oh Scrap! and I’ll link up with Let’s Make Baby Quilts second Friday–this post, or maybe even the finish. (Link when available)
knitNkwilt 
Great use of the lotto blocks and scraps!
Thanks for the link to the Toy and Joy organization. Does your group make the quilt donation all at once, or spread out over the year? I like the idea of these really small quilts and have plenty of lotto blocks to contribute!
We make a big deal offering in Dec when a representative of the Fire Department comes to the meeting. We have a place to store offerings as they come in and last year sent some baby quilts when more were requested.
You surely have been busy with donation quilts this year!
Definitely scrappy, but oh so useful and attractive. How lovely, and how appropriate, to be spending some of this Christmas season in preparing something to give to little children.