Welcome to the 2018 Lotto!

This post contains an overview of the 2018 lotto. In addition, there is also a post for each specific month (e.g. 2018 January Block Lotto). If you have a general question about the lotto, please feel free to ask on this thread. You may also post questions regarding specific blocks on the appropriate monthly threads, which will be available earlier than in the past. This will benefit others who will probably have the same questions as you and those wanting to work ahead. You can easily search for the monthly threads and bump if/as whenever needed.

The lotto is beginner friendly and is open to everyone! As in the past, we’ve selected a variety of blocks that are simple. New quilters are encouraged to participate. You will learn much and it’s a fun way to build your skills. You may participate in as many, or as few, months as you want. No yearlong commitment or monthly sign up is required.

Here’s the drill:

- you will have 1, 2, or 3 chances to win each month, depending on how many blocks you submit (please note that you may send in more blocks, but you will be limited to 3 chances)

- please make blocks measuring 12.5 inches x 12.5 inches (please note that all of the 2018 lotto blocks are 12.5” unfinished/12” finished)

- please follow all instructions for the designated block pattern including color/fabric requirements (please note that all of the 2018 block patterns are from the Quilters Cache website)

- blocks must be received by the end of the month to be included in the monthly lotto drawing

- include your name, mailing address, forum name and $1 per lotto month (not per block) to cover postage for the winning blocks

- if possible, attach your name to the back of each block or write your name in the seam allowance with a fabric pen so the winner knows who made the block (this is not a requirement, just a request)

- if possible, please post a photo of your blocks on the monthly thread (this is not a requirement, just a request)

2018 blocks are to be sent to Valarie (littlehelen_gw). She will collect the blocks, determine the winner, and send the blocks to the winner. If you need her mailing address, please contact her via email at vgmcneese (at) comcast (dot) net.

Fabric requirements for the lotto are also kept simple with the intent that you are able to use fabric from your stash. Posting the entire year upfront provides plenty of time to plan ahead. All fabric used in the lotto should be 100% quilting cotton and may or may not be pre washed. A certain amount of variation is great and it's what gives these group quilts their depth and character, but please try to stay within fabric requirements so your blocks 'play well with others'. Also, please no holiday or juvenile/novelty prints for 2018.

Notes:
- Where it says white that means solid white or white-on-white (WOW) prints that read as white

- Where it says Kona Black that means Kona Cotton fabric by Robert Kaufman in the color Black which is widely available in stores as well as on line (we specify Kona Black to provide consistency in our quilts since black fabrics vary so much)

- Where it says off-white, cream, beige, or tan that means any variation of beige; solids, tone-on-tone, small prints, etc.

- Where is says solid that means any solid, blender, tone on tone, or print that reads as a solid in the specified color(s)

The 2018 Blocks are:

January – Mini Bow Tie – 12" Block – White/Any 1930’s Reproduction Prints (please use 4 different 30’s fabrics per block – 1 for each bowtie)

Mini Bow Tie Instructions

February – Sunlight and Shadows – 12" Block – White/Red & White Print/Red Solid

Color 1 – Red & White Print

Color 2 – Red Solid (or reads as a solid)

Color 3 – White

Please use Kona Red (or any true red) as a color guide. You are welcome to use Kona Red as your solid, however that is not a requirement. Just make sure that whatever fabrics you select “work” with true red.

Sunlight and Shadows Instructions

March – Pinwheel – 12" Block – Kona Black/ANY Light & Dark Coordinating Batiks

Color 1 – Kona Black

Color 2 – Dark Batik

Color 3 – Light Batik

Pinwheel Instructions

APRIL – Baby Bud – 12" Block – Dark Purple, Light Gray Background, & Light Green Centers

Baby Bud Instructions

May – Squares and Oblongs – 12" Block – White Oblongs/ Kona Black Center Square/Any Bold/Bright Solid Squares (please note that each block should be 3 colors – white, black, and whatever bright color you select)

Squares and Oblongs Instructions

June – Mosaic 2 – 12” Block – White/ Royal Blue (please use any medium/dark true blue)

Mosaic 2 Instructions

July – Star of Virginia – 12" Block – White (background), Dark/Deep Red Solid, & Navy Solid (Patriotic 4th of July)

Please note that I made the sample blocks all the same using Kona cotton in white, navy, and crimson. Your blocks can be made with navy centers and dark red star points or with dark red centers and navy star points.

Star of Virginia Instructions

August – Shooting Star – 12" Block – White/Scrappy Bright/Bold Solids

Shooting Star Instructions

September - Maple Leaf – 12" Block – Beige Background/Batik Fabrics in warm Autumn colors (e.g. Yellow, Gold, Orange, Red, Rust, Brown)

Maple Leaf Instructions

October – Four Patch Chain – 12" Block – Brown/Beige/Kona Black

Color 1 – Brown

Color 2 – Beige

Color 3 – Kona Black (please note placement, so all our chains line up)

Four Patch Chain Instructions

November – Depression Block – 12" Block – Scrappy Lights in Blue, Green, and Purple and Scrappy Darks in Blue, Green, and Purple (please use cool colors with good contrast between your lights and darks)

Throwback – this is a repeat of the November 2012 lotto block!

Depression Block Instructions