I'm going to teach a new teenager to quilt
 

Hi,
Can you please help me decide on a pattern to help a teenager learn to sew. She is a new friend to my daughter. My duaghter wants to make a quilt at the same time. But the catch is my daughter does not like doing the same quilt twice.
So BQ and Turning 20 are out.

Any ideas?

Should I let her pick her fabrics or should I look for a kit. Her foster mom said if she wants to learn that would be great. She does not sew at all. I'll PIF her an older machine that does straight stich only. Nothing fancy- one that I picked up for under 20 dollars. I think she will be great- she looked at a book and picked out a complex quilt and I said I think we need to begin simple.

Please send ideas my way.
Thanks in advance.

buying a kit will ensure that her colors are coordinated. the instructions should be clear. you are wonderful to be her teacher and give her the machine

4 patch,9 patch, split rail, antique tile.....these were some of my first quilt blocks and were very easy to do. Glad you are teaching the young folks to quilt!!! I do think you should let her select her own fabrics that way it's truly hers...

Yellow Brick Road is an easy pattern for a beginner. Disappearing 9 patch is also an easy one. It's great that you are teaching your daughter's friend to quilt.

I would let her pick the colors. I know I am much more engaged with the whole process if i like the colors. You should guide her as far as the light, med, dark values, however.

If you include her in the process of picking her own fabric, I believe she will be much happier with the finished product. With just a few guidelines, let her loose to choose what "speaks" to her.

Kudos to you for taking someone under your wing. Alex Anderson has a book for beginning quilters with several patterns in it. She might enjoy having a book.

You need to let her pick her own fabrics. I have taken the kids to Joannsfor the variety and then guided them on color choice, which ia a part of quilt making.

Of course the first step was choosing a pattern. I gave a choice of two like maybe a 4 patchwith solid squares inbetween or a fencerail with large squaresinbetween. For a beginner you don,t want them to lose interest by having them cut too much!

The double slice layer cake is a fun and easy quilt to make.
Here's a link to the pattern:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxC-0T5lXw4
You can use your own 10 x 10 squares.
Have fun.