Don't forget a seam ripper, pair of scissors, Maybe a nice book on quilting or sewing, should not be hard to fill the basket in a hurry. Depends on how much you want to spend and if it is strictly a quilting basket or any kind of sewing!

The school I worked had an annual basket raffle. Each class was responsible for a basket. Some classes were very creative. Pasta baskets, Chocolate lovers basket, Spa baskets, School supplies basket(put in a backpack), movie night basket, Game night basket, Cooking basket, Gardening basket, tea time baskets, coffee time baskets and BBQ baskets. It is late at night and that is all I can remember.
Hope this gives you some ideas. I like the idea of a quilter's basket, but I think it is way to limited for most people.

IF you're trying to reach a larger audience, how about a table runner, a couple mug rugs, mugs to co-ordinate, a variety of teas, something good to snack on, and a couple quilting magazines.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I knew I could count on you!! I am going shopping today.

If it's for folks who are already quilters to bid on, then maybe skip the seam ripper and rotary cutter (we all usually have these) and have some yummy fat quarters, a quilt booklet or mag, and some items quilters use up or would maybe like to try, like thread conditioner, glue baste-it, luxury thread like Aurifil, King Tut, YLI. Maybe a gift certificate donated by a LQS....

Hey, you're in IL! When you decide what you want to put in, PM me and I'll see what I have to contribute. :)

I think adding anything 'chocolate' even if it is a fabric basket would be welcomed by all quilters! Chocolate soothes the quilters soul I always say.

My suggestions: Chocolate (can be Dove, Hershey's Bliss, Hersheys Hugs and Kisses,) variety of coffee and tea packets, hot cocoa, etc.

If they choc is individually wrapped they can be sprinkled around on top of the other items ... tempting everyone else to see what else is hiding in the basket.

I am a teacher, and we love to see creative baskets! I would put sewing notions in it, even some odds and ends things that new quilters don't think of...binding clips, etc. I would also put a variety of fat quarters, some easy patterns, and a few quilting magazines.

I don't know what everyone else thinks, but I can never get enough safety pins, and an extra pin cushion would be nice. Do you know how to make them?

I am working on some for my sons small tricky tray the pto does towards the end of the year...

I am doing a table runner, placemats (that I made) I am going to add a candle,(also going to do one with a pot scrubby, and kitchen wash clothes, along with a candle or something...

depending on what you are going to put in there.. you could do a table runner for a holiday, nice teas, nice coffee, candle, crackers,something that makes a center piece.

I think you have had great suggestions here.
but i think a finished project would be better, because i think sewing people are far and few between....

mmmm.... Chocolate. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: