my goddaughter made her first quilt of only 8" squares. She went through my stash and picked 49 different fabrics--definitely an 8-year-old's taste, but when done, it looked great, despite the occasionally uneven seams. She loves it and every time she visits me, wants to sew more and more. So, keep it simple, with easily obtained goals. Do a checkerboard pattern with her chosen colors and you can't go wrong.